electroplating

views updated Jun 08 2018

electroplating Deposition of a coating of metal on another by making the object to be coated the cathode in electrolysis. Positive ions in the electrolyte are discharged at the cathode and deposited as metal. Electroplating is used to produce a decorative or corrosion-resistant layer, as in silver-plated tableware and chromium-plated motor-car parts.