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What is the difference between chrome plating, nickel plating, and zinc plating?

2024-03-12

What is electroplating?
Electroplating is the process of using the principle of electrolysis to deposit a thin layer of other metals or alloys on certain metal surfaces. It is a process that uses electrolysis to attach a metal film to the surface of metal or other material components, thereby preventing metal oxidation (such as rust), improving wear resistance, conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance (such as copper sulfate), and enhancing aesthetics.
Electroplating is further divided into specific processes such as copper plating, gold plating, silver plating, chromium plating, nickel plating, and zinc plating. In the manufacturing industry, zinc plating, nickel plating, and chromium plating are particularly widely used. What is the difference between these three?




01- Galvanization
Definition: Zinc plating refers to a surface treatment technique that involves coating a layer of zinc on the surface of a metal, alloy, or other material for aesthetic and rust prevention purposes.
Features: Low cost, average corrosion resistance, silver white color.
Application: Screws, circuit breakers, industrial products, etc.

02- Nickel plating
Definition: The method of plating a layer of nickel on a metal or certain non-metals through electrolysis or chemical methods is called nickel plating.
Features: Beautiful, can be used for decoration, high price, slightly complex craftsmanship, and the color is silver white and yellow.
Application: Energy saving lamp holders, coins, hardware components, etc.

03- Chromium plating
Definition: Chromium is a bright white metal with a slight blue color. The method of plating a layer of chromium on a metal or certain non-metals through electrolysis or chemical methods is called chromium plating.
Features: There are two types of chrome plating. The first is for decorative purposes, with a bright appearance and good wear resistance. Its rust prevention ability is not as good as that of zinc plating, but better than oxidation; The second method is to increase the hardness and wear resistance of metal parts, which is the functionality of the parts.
Application: Bright decorative parts, tools, faucets, etc. on household appliances, electronics and other products.

Expand knowledge:
1. Electroplating production is mainly caused by heavy metal pollution in sewage and sewage. The country has strictly controlled the expansion of the electroplating industry and has been reducing it year by year.
In China, electroplating processing mainly involves galvanization, copper plating, nickel plating, and chromium plating, with galvanization accounting for 50% and copper plating, chromium plating, and nickel plating accounting for 30%.
If the purpose is to prevent rust, galvanizing or cadmium plating can be used; If the focus is on preventing wear, nickel or chromium plating is the best choice.