Electroplating is a process that uses electric current to reduce dissolved metal cations so that they form

a coherent etal coating on an electrode. The term is also used for electrical oxidation of anions onto a

solid substrate, as in the formation silver chloride on silver wire to make silver/silver-chloride electrodes.

Electroplating is primarily used to change the surface properties of an object (e.g. abrasion and wear

 resistance, corrosion protection,lubricity, aesthetic qualities, etc.), but may also be used to build up

thickness on undersized parts or to form objects by electroforming.

The process used in electroplating is called electrodeposition. It is analogous to a galvanic cell acting

in reverse.The part to be plated is the cathode of the circuit. In one technique, the anode is made of the

 metal to be plated on the part.

Other electroplating processes may use a non-consumable anode such as lead or carbon. In these techniques,

ions of the metal to be plated must be periodically replenished in the bath as they are drawn out of the solution.

The most common form of electroplating is used for creating coins such as pennies, which are small zinc plates

covered in a layer of copper.