title = "Electroplating: Process, Metals, and Quality Control"

content = """
Electroplating deposits a thin layer of metal onto a substrate by passing electrical current through an electrolyte solution, causing metal ions to reduce and plate onto the cathodic workpiece. At Ridgecrest Metalworks, electroplating provides corrosion protection, wear resistance, decorative finish, and specific functional properties on steel, copper, and aluminum components.

The electroplating cell consists of: the anode (positive electrode—either a soluble anode of the plating metal, or an inert anode with metal replenishment from chemicals); the cathode (the workpiece to be plated); the electrolyte (aqueous solution of metal salts, typically with acids, bases, and additives to improve deposit quality); and a DC power supply. Current density at the cathode surface (milliamps per square inch or amps per square decimeter) controls the deposition rate; current distribution over complex surfaces determines deposit thickness uniformity.

Common electroplating processes at Ridgecrest include:
Zinc plating (electrodeposited zinc)—the most common corrosion protection for steel. Post-plate chromate passivation (yellow or clear) significantly extends corrosion resistance. Zinc plating per ASTM B633 specifies thickness by service class (Class 1: 0.0002 inch for mild exposure; Class 4: 0.0010 inch for severe exposure).
Zinc-nickel plating—higher corrosion resistance than pure zinc; increasingly replacing hexavalent chromium processes.
Hard chrome plating—thick chromium deposits (0.0005–0.020 inch) for wear resistance, repair of worn dimensions, and lubricity. Hard chrome provides exceptional hardness (65–70 HRC), low friction, and corrosion resistance. HEEF (high-efficiency electroforming) and HVOF thermal spray chrome alternatives are replacing hexavalent chrome for environmental reasons.
Nickel plating—undercoat for decorative chrome, standalone corrosion/wear protection, EMI shielding.
Electroless nickel—autocatalytic process that deposits nickel-phosphorus alloy without electrical current; provides very uniform thickness on complex geometries (no edge build-up), excellent corrosion resistance, and moderate hardness (400–700 HV depending on phosphorus content and heat treatment).

Quality checks include plating thickness (magnetic gauge, XRF, coulometric strip), adhesion (bend test, scribe adhesion per ASTM B571), hardness, hydrogen embrittlement relief (required for high-strength steel parts above 40 HRC—bake at 375–400°F within 4 hours of plating per ASTM B849), and appearance.
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version = "0.0.1"
