Cleaning the Substrate: The first step is to clean the surface of the metal that will be electroplated. This involves removing any dirt, rust, oil, or other contaminants using a cleaning solution.
Activation or Pickling: This step involves removing oxides and scales from the metal surface using various acid solutions. This ensures that the surface is ready for the electroplating process.
Electroplating: The cleaned and activated metal is then submerged in an electrolytic solution containing zinc ions. The metal to be plated acts as the cathode, and a piece of zinc acts as the anode. When an electric current is applied, zinc ions from the solution are deposited onto the metal surface, forming a thin, protective zinc coating.
Rinsing and Drying: After electroplating, the metal is rinsed thoroughly to remove any remaining electrolyte solution and then dried.
Post-Treatment: Depending on the desired finish, additional treatments such as chromating or passivation may be applied to enhance corrosion resistance and improve the appearance of the plated surface.