The Difference Between Anodization and Electroplating

In modern manufacturing processes, especially in the electronics manufacturing industry, anodization and electroplating are the most commonly used methods for processing metal casings. So what is the difference between these two processes?

1. Anodization and electroplating

Anodization treatment is one of the methods of metal surface treatment. According to the definition of ASTM, the anodic oxide film refers to the use of chemical or electrochemical treatment to generate a film layer containing the metal component on the metal surface. As an anodization metal material, it is a material protection technology in which a film is formed on the surface of a metal material through an external current in a specific electrolyte. Most metal materials (such as stainless steel, zinc alloy, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy) can be anodized in a suitable electrolyte. Electroplating is one of the methods of surface treatment of metals and non-metals; as long as reasonable pre-treatment, various metal substrates and some non-metal materials can be electroplated.

2. Anodizing process

Through the anodic oxidation treatment, the metal material surface can be given a beautiful appearance, good corrosion resistance, wear resistance, insulation and other functions, so as to meet different design requirements. At present, the most widely used is the anodizing treatment of aluminum materials. Because the aluminum oxide film has a fine structure, good adsorption, and is not easy to fall off, it is coated with a fine oxide film through anodizing process to protect it from continuous oxidation. There are many kinds of anodization of aluminium equation processes, including ordinary anodization, hard anodization, and ultra-low temperature hard anodization. Especially hard anodizing treatment is widely used in the surface treatment of pistons, cylinders, cylinder linings, hydraulic machines and turbines, steam valves, gears, gun parts, clutches, brake discs and other hard, wear-resistant and highly corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy parts.