The difference between zinc plating, nickel plating and chrome plating

Electroplating is the process of using the principle of electrolysis to plate a thin layer of other metals or alloys on the surface of certain metals. It is the process of using electrolysis to attach a metal film to the surface of a metal or other material to prevent metal oxidation ( Such as rust), improve wear resistance, electrical conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance (copper sulfate, etc.) and enhance aesthetics.

Electroplating is divided into specific processes such as copper plating, gold plating, silver plating, chromium plating, nickel plating and zinc plating. In the manufacturing industry, zinc plating, nickel plating and chromium plating are the most widely used. What is the difference between these three?

1. Zinc plating, nickel plating and chrome plating

(1) Galvanized

Zinc plating refers to a surface treatment technology that coats a layer of zinc on the surface of metals, alloys or other materials for aesthetics and rust prevention.

Features: Low cost, general anti-corrosion, and silver-white color.

Application: screws, circuit breakers, industrial supplies, etc.

White zinc

Color zinc

(2) Nickel plating

The method of plating a layer of nickel on metals or certain non-metals by electrolysis or chemical methods is called nickel plating.

Features: beautiful, can be decorated, the price is high, the craft is slightly complicated, the color is silvery white and yellow.

Application: Energy-saving lamp holder, coins, hardware, etc.

(3) Chrome plating

Chromium is a bright white metal with a bluish tint. The method of plating a layer of chromium on metal or some non-metals by electrolysis or chemical methods is called chromium plating.

Features: There are two types of chromium plating. The first is for decorative purposes. It has a brighter appearance and better abrasion resistance. The rust resistance is not as good as galvanized and better than oxidation. The second is to increase the hardness and wear resistance of metal parts. , This is the functionality of the part.

Application: Bright decorative parts, tools, faucets, etc. on home appliances, electronics and other products.

2. The most basic difference between the three types of electroplating, zinc plating, nickel plating and chrome plating

Chrome plating is mainly to improve surface hardness, beauty and rust prevention. The chromium plating layer has good chemical stability and has no effect in alkali, sulfide, nitric acid and most organic acids, but it can be dissolved in halogen acids (such as hydrochloric acid) and hot sulfuric acid. Because chromium does not change color, it can maintain its reflection ability for a long time when used, which is better than silver and nickel. The process is generally electroplating.

Nickel plating is mainly wear-resistant, anti-corrosion, and anti-rust. Generally, the thickness is relatively thin, and the process is divided into two types: electroplating and chemical.

Galvanizing is mainly for aesthetics and rust prevention. Zinc is an active metal and can react with acid, so it has poor corrosion resistance and is the cheapest of the three.

The difference in cost is the most expensive chrome plating, followed by nickel, and zinc is the cheapest. Among them, rack plating and barrel plating are also distinguished. Rack plating is expensive, barrel plating is cheap.

After nagging so much, some friends said, "It's still stupid and unclear." Then the editor can only tell you that I will be confused for a while. Then distinguish it by color.

Chrome-plated bright white, nickel-plated has a little yellowish, galvanized silver-white (in fact, there are color zinc, gray zinc, matt chrome, bright chrome, white nickel, black nickel, etc.). The more you say, the more foolish you are. clear).

3. Expand knowledge of the three types of electroplating, Zinc plating, nickel plating and chrome plating

1). Electroplating production is mainly based on heavy metal pollution in sewage and sewage. The country has strictly controlled the expansion of the electroplating industry and has reduced it year by year.

2). Our country's electroplating processing is mainly zinc plating, copper plating, nickel plating, and chromium plating, of which zinc plating accounts for 50%, and copper, chromium, and nickel plating account for 30%.

3). If the purpose is to prevent rust, zinc or cadmium plating can be used, if the focus is to prevent wear, nickel or chromium plating is the best choice.