Industrial plating involves coating a material with a layer of metal, commonly gold, nickel, chromium, or copper. Electroplating is the most common method, using electricity and chemicals. Brush plating is safer for home use and can be done with a solution, brush, and power source. Safety precautions are necessary due to the toxicity of the chemicals used.
Industrial plating is the process of coating a material with an outer layer of metal. The common metals used are gold, nickel, chromium and copper, but almost any metal can be used. The process of plating a piece can be done in a number of ways depending on the metal used, manufacturer preferences, and available plating supplies.
Electroplating is the most common method of plating used today. This process involves immersing both the starting metal and the metal to be plated in an acidic solution. Electricity is then applied to both of these causing the plating metal to be deposited on the metal work piece.
To perform electroplating, the only plating supplies a manufacturer needs are a source of electricity and the appropriate chemical for dipping the metals. Silver requires cyanide to electroplate another metal while chromium requires a chromic acid solution for electroplating. For large-scale production purposes, the metals are placed in a large rotating cylinder for an even coating.
It takes strong acidic chemicals to break down metals. The level of toxicity of the chemicals needed for electroplating makes them difficult to acquire for home use. The by-products of this process are also difficult to dispose of as they are equally dangerous. There are other home plating methods that deal with chemicals that are safer and don’t require electricity.
Brush plating is another popular form of plating. It can be performed in a variety of environments, from homes to factories, but is best for small items whose plating has worn off in places. The plating supplies needed for this method are a solution, a brush, and a power source. A power source is connected to the object to be plated and the solution is then painted over the areas to be plated. Like large-scale electroplating, the electricity distributes the metal evenly over the areas covered by the solution.
For home plating uses, brush plating is more effective. Plating supplies can often be purchased on the Internet and in some hardware stores. Brush plating can also be done industrially, but electroplating is more useful for large-scale operations.
No matter how much plating a person has to do, care should always be taken. Accidents involving electricity and hazardous chemicals such as those common in plating supplies can be disastrous for workers and lead to poisoning, burns and even death. With proper safety precautions, this can be avoided and objects of considerable beauty or industrial utility can be created depending on what one is manufacturing.
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