GALVANIZED

Electroplating is the process of using electrolytic deposition to cover an object with a

layer of metal (or metals).

Engineers use controlled electrolysis to transfer the desired metal coating from an
anode (a part containing the metal to be used as a coating) to a cathode (the part to be
coated).

The average life of a metal without corrosion protection is approximately 2 years before
its structural collapse, however with a galvanized coating, it is preserved for up to 10
years without any maintenance. This will logically depend on the characteristics of the
iron and the environment to which it will be subjected.
TYPES OF GALVANIZED
Cold galvanized
Cold galvanized steel is achieved by applying zinc-rich paints using
brushes or spray guns. It should be noted that the layer it produces is
thinner, so its resistance to impacts and abrasion is lower and its durability
is shorter.

hot dip galvanized

The steel is immersed in zinc at a temperature of 435 to 450 degrees so
that both metals melt and good coating adhesion is generated. In the
process, several layers of alloy are created until an optimal thickness is
obtained.
Given its level of fusion, it provides greater hardness and resistance to
external agents, making it ideal for use outdoors.

Galvanized zinc plated or electrozinc plated

Zinc plating coats steel with zinc through the transfer of metal ions. Special
equipment that allows continuous current flow is used to create the
galvanized layer.
Its use is more aesthetic because the protection of the steel is less than the
previous ones, it is for exteriors and interiors.

G alvanized 3D printed parts

Thanks to its versatility, galvanizing opens the door to countless
possibilities for engineers from different sectors. Do you want to learn more
about electroplating 3D printed parts? to discover how electroplating
transforms SLA 3D printed parts to achieve metallic properties, such as
high modulus, electrical conductivity or an aesthetic finish.

Galvanized vs. electroformed

Both galvanizing and electroforming are based on electrolytic deposition. The

difference is that electroforming uses a mold that is removed after a part is formed.
Electroforming is used to create solid metal parts, while galvanizing is used to coat a
previous part (made from a different material) in metal.

Galvanizing Material Options

You can galvanize an object with a single metal or a combination of metals. Many
manufacturers choose metals such as copper and nickel for their coatings to maximize
strength and conductivity. These are some of the commonly used materials for
galvanizing:

Brass Cadmium Chrome

Copper Gold
Nickel
Silver Titanium Zinc Substrates can be
composed of almost any material, from metals such as stainless steel to plastics. There
are artisans who have galvanized organic materials, such as flowers, as well as
ribbons of soft fabrics.
It is important to note that non-conductive substrates such as plastic, wood or glass
must be made conductive before electroplating. This can be done by covering a non-
conductive substrate with a layer of conductive paint or spray.

10 REASONS WHY GALVANIZE

Long duration: World experience in treatments. Rule: durability – layer thickness. ISO
9223: annual mass or thickness losses.

Unnecessary maintenance Long protection duration. If necessary, easy

maintenance at low cost (without iron curing). Advantage over paint coverage.
(Expensive, difficult)

Economy Initial cost of galvanizing & time. Galvanized & paint. Latest technology
industrial processes, efficiency.

Versatility Galvanized process versatile in its applications: Sheets, tubes, screws,

valves... Prevents atmospheric, water or soil corrosion... Protects everything from steel
structural bases to millimeter screws

Reliability Simple and controlled industrial process. (Quality) Very precise coverage
thicknesses and on any piece. Standardized steel protection system (ASTM). Simple
evaluation test.

Coating toughness High resistance to shocks and abrasion. Unique thermal coating
with metallurgical bonding with the base steel. (iron-zinc alloy) The metal suffers
mechanical damage but maintains its coating. It absorbs shocks and its alloys are
stronger than steel.

Comprehensive coating Due to the immersion of the piece, its coverage is total.
Internal and external coverage (corners and crevices)

Triple protection Faster than steel (10 to 30) Provides cathodic protection. Offers
greater protection in corners and edges (not paint)

Triple protection Faster than steel (10 to 30) Provides cathodic protection. Offers
greater protection in corners and edges (not paint)

Easy to weld Allows the joining of coated steel pieces together by different welding
methods. Arc, resistance, induction).Basic precautions. (zinc paint)

Easy to paint Obligation for signage or ornament. Duplex system (painting +

galvanizing) durability. Follow paint manufacturer's recommendations
GALVANIZED IN JEWELRY PROCESSES. RHODIUM PLATING OR
ELECTROLYSIS IN JEWELRY

Probably the sector with which galvanizing is most associated is jewelry and precious
metals. Jewelry designers and manufacturers use this process to enhance the color,
durability and aesthetic appeal of rings, bracelets, pendants and a wide range of other
products.
When you see jewelry described as “gold plated” or “silver plated,” there is a good
chance that the process used is electroplating. To obtain finishes with unique colors,
combinations of various metals are used. For example, gold is often combined with
copper and silver to create rose gold .

In jewelry we plate platinum, palladium, ruthenium, silver, old silver, rose gold,
rhodium, nickel...

RHODIUM-PLATED
More than 50% of the high jewelry pieces that jewelry manufacturers currently make in
the world are made of white sterling gold. 18K white gold is a perfect precious material
both in its aesthetics and in its conditions for mounting diamonds and precious stones.
First Law white gold allows the manufacture of any type of jewelry piece from rings to
earrings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces; And with the different setting techniques,
we can incorporate the colored diamonds and precious gems we desire into the design.
But we must not forget that for 18-karat gold to have the necessary consistency in a
jewel for regular use, hardening elements such as silver, copper or palladium, among
others, must be added to its composition.

This is why 18-karat gold is also called 750 thousandths, since it is the amount 3/4 of
pure or fine gold that counts in its composition.

This large amount of fine gold, of intense yellow color and the steely finish that it has
after being melted and reviewed produced by the hardening elements, make a final
rhodium plating process essential so that the jewel has that ideal finish, in aesthetics, in
luster and in color.

BUT WHAT DOES RHODIUM PLATING CONSIST OF?

It is a process by which once the jewel is finished, both in its casting, in its review, and
in its polishing, as well as in the setting of the diamonds and precious stones, it is
immersed, very clean and degreased, in a bath with a product called rhodium (almost
in its pure state), which gives it that beautiful tone typical of white gold.

We say that rhodium is almost pure since it is diluted in 2% of distilled water, since
what is sought is a perfect finish, but not that its high presence motivates an attack on
gold, or means that when used it can give allergies to our skin.

The rhodium adheres in a film of approximately half a millimeter thanks to an

electrolysis process, where through electrolytes and immersion, it penetrates the jewel.
Rhodium, in short, is a metal aesthetically similar to aluminum that comes from
platinum and whose use is intended for finishing fine jewelry pieces in white gold, but
also in platinum, although this one bases its aesthetics more on a perfect polishing
process. the most durable over time and in use.

The rhodium plating or rhodium plating of jewelry has several functions, of which
aesthetics stands out, since it gives it a beautiful white, shiny and homogeneous tone,
and on the other hand, protection of the piece, since this film makes it more resistant to
damage. damage that may occur with normal use.

It is true, even though we perform rhodium plating by immersion, since in our firm we
reject other methods such as rhodium plating through pencil; This has an expiration
date, that is, where its aesthetic properties disappear both due to damage to the piece
due to use and due to the aging of the product itself.

Also the use of the jewel in certain circumstances or the PH of the skin of the person
wearing the piece, motivate the duration of the rhodium film.

It is enough that when we see our white gold jewel with a dull or matte luster, we
subject it to a new rhodium plating, since the jewels can be rhodium plated as many
times as you want.

The jewel must be exhaustively polished to eliminate the remains of the old rhodium
layer, scratches and knocks suffered by use, then degreased and cleaned for a new
immersion in the different vats where the rhodium is located.

https://youtu.be/9UgmPcXISwk
https://youtu.be/SX7Q4pok0f4
HOMEMADE COPPER PLATING
Copper plating is a copper galvanizing process; In many cases it is the step prior to
nickel plating. But it also works as a final product, with copper plating being a coating
for spare parts, screws and objects of that line, as well as for metal furniture, lamps and
various objects designed for decorative purposes.
The materials to be used are :

 Anodes or positive electrode , which would be the source of copper with

which the piece will be covered.
 The cathodes or negative electrode , that is, the tools that we are going to
copper.
 An electrical energy generator , whose positive pole will have the anodes
connected and the negative pole will have the cathodes connected.
 A liquid solution or electrolyte , formed by salts, brighteners, level before
and an acid or a base, which can be sulfuric acid or cyanide, depending on
the type of copper plating to be carried out.

Now with all the materials, we proceed

1. The copper sulfate that is in a solid state must be crushed until it is a

powder, dissolving it with water in a container will turn blue (electrolytes)

2. Take the metal key (negative pole) and the copper wire (positive pole)
with the cable

3. The homemade battery helps us produce electrical energy, we will

connect the copper to the positive and the object to copper the negative

4. When you introduce the key into the solution and generating current, the
copper source releases the ions that pass through the solution until they
are placed on the object to be covered, creating a thin layer (they cover the
key).
Be careful, because there are a couple of conditions when treating copper. The first
thing you should take into account when doing homemade electrolytic copper plating
is the current at which the copper plating is applied, which is essential for the process,
since the deposition speed varies depending on the speed, as well as the adhesion of the
copper fold over the material.

RECOMMENDATIONS
- Use required materials
Use protective materials (gloves, safety glasses, among others).

ROSA GARCIA SERRANO

1st JEWELRY