Electroplating

(e-lektro-plat-ing.) (Electro-Chem.) The proce by which articles formed of the baser metals are covered with a coating of gold or silver electro-chemically deposited. When a plate of copper, or silver, or gold, ., is attached to the positive pole ofa battery, and immersed in a chemical solution of the same metal, such as sulphate of copper, cyanide of silver, ., any conducting material attached to the other pole and placed opposite the first in the same solution, very soon becomes coated with the metal used. The metal plate is gradually eaten away, and an equal quantity of the metal is deposited upon the body at the negative pole. This is the foundation of the proce . As to the proce itself, it is difficult in practice, and requires, in order to be succe fully carried on, minute attention to details. We therefore refer the reader to complete works on the subject. Electro-positive. See ELECTROLYSIS. [s. 323]