Question

What are the key differences between plating metals and powder coating?

Answer 1

Plating metals can be electrolytic or electroless. The metal is oxidized from elemental state to charged state. Ie Cu will go to Cu++ in solution and then reduced to Cu on a charged metallized object. Powder coating uses a powder spray, is then heated to form a layer around the object.

Answer 2

Plating Metals requires a process known as Electroplating...powder coating i believe is just a metallic finish which is sprayed on an adhesive. Electroplating requires the desired object to be placed in an ionic solution with the desired plate metal...When current is enduced to the anode and cathode, the metal slowly dissolves and replates on the object

Answer 3

Powder coating is a process by which a dry, powdered plastic blend is electrostatically applied to the surface and then heated to it's melting point. It's very durable and an expensive process, but cheaper than electroplating.