What is the difference between chrome plating, nickel plating and zinc plating
What is the difference between chrome plating, nickel plating and zinc plating?
First of all, let's understand what electroplating is
Electroplating is the process of plating a thin layer of other metals or alloys on the surface of some metals based on the principle of electrolysis. It is a process of using electrolysis to attach a layer of metal film on the surface of metals or other materials, so as to prevent metal oxidation (such as rust), improve wear resistance, conductivity, reflectance, corrosion resistance (copper sulfate, etc.) and enhance aesthetics.
Electroplating is divided into copper plating, gold plating, silver plating, chromium plating, nickel plating, zinc plating and other specific processes, which are most widely used in the manufacturing industry, especially in zinc plating, nickel plating and chromium plating. And what must be the difference between the three?
01 - galvanizing
Definition: galvanizing refers to the surface treatment technology of plating a layer of zinc on the surface of metal, alloy or other materials to play the role of beauty, rust prevention, etc.
Features: low cost, general anti-corrosion, silver white color.
Application: screws, circuit breakers, industrial supplies, etc.
White zinc Color zinc
02 - nickel plating
Definition: the method of plating nickel on metal or some non-metal by electrolysis or chemical method is called nickel plating.
Features: beautiful, can do decoration, high price, slightly complex technology, color for silver white yellow.
Application: energy saving lamp cap, coin, hardware, etc.
03 - chrome plating
Definition: chromium is a kind of bright white metal with blue micro strip. The method of plating chromium on metal or some non-metal by electrolysis or chemical method is called chromium plating.
Features: there are two kinds of chromium plating, the first one is to play a decorative role, with bright appearance, good wear resistance and friction performance, and the rust resistance is not as good as galvanizing, better than oxidation; the second one is to increase the hardness and wear resistance of metal parts, which is the functionality of parts.
Application: bright decorative parts, tools, faucets, etc. on household appliances and electronic products.
As for the basic differences of three kinds of electroplating
1: Chrome plating is mainly to improve the surface hardness, beauty and rust prevention. Chromium coating has good chemical stability. It does not work in alkali, sulfide, nitric acid and most organic acids, but it can dissolve in hydrohalic acid (such as hydrochloric acid) and hot sulfuric acid. Chromium is superior to silver and nickel because it does not change color and can keep its reflection ability for a long time. The process is generally electroplating.
2: Nickel plating is mainly wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, rust proof, general thickness is relatively thin, if the process is divided into plating and chemical two categories.
3: Galvanizing is mainly beautiful and antirust. Zn is an active metal, which can react with acid, so it has poor corrosion resistance and is the cheapest of the three.
The difference in cost is that chromium plating is the most expensive, nickel plating is the second, zinc plating is the cheapest, among which hang plating and roll plating are also distinguished. Hang plating is expensive and roll plating is cheap.
