[i-lek-truh-pleyt] 
verb, -plat⋅ed, -plat⋅ing, noun | 1. | to plate or coat with a metal by electrolysis. |
| 2. | electroplated articles or ware. |
| e·lec·tro·plate (ĭ-lěk'trə-plāt') tr.v. e·lec·tro·plat·ed, e·lec·tro·plat·ing, e·lec·tro·plates To coat or cover with a thin layer of metal by electrodeposition. |
A process whereby a thin coat of metal is applied to a material. The process involves placing the material to be coated in a solution containing ions of the metal and then passing an electric current through the system, which causes the ions to adhere to the material.
| electroplating (ĭ-lěk'trō-plā'tĭng) Pronunciation Key
The process of coating the surface of a conducting material with a metal. During the process, the surface to be covered acts as a cathode in an electrolytic cell, and the metal that is to cover it acts as an anode. Electroplating is usually used to cover a less expensive metal with a more expensive metal, or to cover a corrosive metal with a less corrosive or noncorrosive metal. |
trəˌpleɪt