electroplating

Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trō-plā′tĭng /

1. The process of coating the surface of a conducting material with a metal. During the process, the surface to be covered acts as a cathode in an electrolytic cell, and the metal that is to cover it acts as an anode. Electroplating is usually used to cover a less expensive metal with a more expensive metal, or to cover a corrosive metal with a less corrosive or noncorrosive metal.

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electroplating Cultural  

1. A process whereby a thin coat of metal is applied to a material. The process involves placing the material to be coated in a solution containing ions of the metal and then passing an electric current (see also current) through the system, which causes the ions to adhere to the material.

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Example Sentences

They deposited an extremely thin layer of thorium onto stainless steel using electroplating, a technique commonly used in jewelry.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

They were treated with an electroplating process that fused a copper coating onto the forms, which were finished in bronze.

From New York Times • May 5, 2023

Electrolysis is the basis for certain ore refining processes, the industrial production of many chemical commodities, and the electroplating of metal coatings on various products.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Precious metals such as gold could find their way into the sewers courtesy of mining, electroplating, electronics and jewelry manufacturing, or industrial and automotive catalysts.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 16, 2015

An interesting example of secondary action is shown by the common technical process of electroplating with silver from a bath of potassium silver cyanide.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various