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

The impure sheet is connected with the positive pole of an electroplating dynamo, and the thin sheet of copper is connected with the negative pole.

From Electricity for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough