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The three leading elements in electroplating

I am a high school student, and I have been doing research for a class. I have checked many Almanacs, but I cannot find out what three metallic elements are most often electroplated onto other objects? I would also like to know approximately how much, in tons, of each is used for this annually?

Kenrick W.
- Hinckley , Minnesota, United States
2003

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2003

That's a very good question, Kenrick, and the answer is probably very hard to find. I'm very sure the order would be:
#1 - Zinc
#2 - Nickel
But from there on, not so sure :-) #3 - Copper?

...but I don't have the numbers on the tonnage plated. I would suggest trying to look up terms like the Zinc Institute and Zinc Development Association, and the same with the other two. Major mining or smelting companies like INCO and Anaconda Copper are worth a try too.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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Ted,

I've got no data, but I'd be willing to bet a tall cold one that chromium outranks copper! My guess is due to my perspective in the aerospace industry, where copper plating is used only for really thin strikes and heat treat masking. Our in house plating does far more chromium than copper.

So, you platers out there- do I owe Ted a beer? How much of each do you do? How about you chemical salesmen?

Lee Gearhart
metallurgist - E. Aurora, New York
2003