Electroplating and Annodizing

Electroplating, the process of coating a metal object with a thin layer of another metal.

Method:

1) A container is filled with a solution of a salt of the metal that is to form the coating.
2) The object to be coated with the metal is connected to the negative terminal of an electric battery and therefore this then becomes the cathode (the negative electrode).
3) Then when the electrical connection is established the metal that is connected as the annode starts to leave and form onto the outer layer of the cathode.
4)The longer you leave the process happenning the thicker the layer of metal that forms on the cathode.

Electroplating is used to give metal objects a better appearance or to protect them from corrosion, wear, or rust. Tableware, trays, decorative pieces, and jewelry are plated with gold or silver to make them more attractive.

















Annodizing is a very similar process however process to electroplating however there can be the introduction of a dye and this is how many of the parts gain its colour. Also there is more players built up during the annodizing process so that the layers of colour can build up so they are harder to remove. Then a lacquer is applied to seal the result and maintain the colour from weathering.

Metals and Alloys Notes

Iron - is converted from ore to solid metal by heating. After the impurities are removed from the furnace when it is cooled a greyish metal.  Iron is rarely used when its not combined with Carbon as otherwise its not strong enough to fulfill the needed purpose. The result of mixing Carbon and Iron is Steel.

Steel - Is a mixture of Iron and Carbon. The percentage of carbon in the steel determines the strength. Alloying this material with other materials enhances the properties of the steel giving it different specific properties. These properties can include the resistance to corrosion.

Carbon - Carbon is an element found in a range of materials. Organic materials including Diamond and Coal are made of pure Carbon they are just produced under a different degree of pressure. The amount of Carbon in Steel can change the properties.

Iron and Carbon - Iron is generally soft and ductile which does not make it very commercially useful. When Carbon is added which is a very hard, brittle element. When it is mixed with Iron it can be used for the following qualities;

• The hardness is increased
• The toughness reduces making it more brittle.
• Can be heat treated to increase strength and hardness.