Have you ever wondered whether cars are metal-plated? The short answer is ‘yes’. Today’s car manufacturers use everything from plastic components for car bodies to electroless nickel coating to achieve corrosion-free, attractive, and enduring finishes.
Why do cars need plating?
Corrosion is the main reason that cars need plating, as it creates the rust that can spread extremely quickly over a car’s surface and ruin even the best paint job. Everyone has seen the holes caused when rust eats through a car body, which is not only unsightly but also damages the integrity of the car’s body.
What causes rust on a car?
Many factors can contribute to car rust, such as acid rain, bird droppings, tree sap, dirt, and even dead insects. These can all destroy the finish of a vehicle. As the clear coating and paint job are destroyed by contaminants over time, the underlying metal becomes at risk of rust corrosion. This process is hastened if there is contact or exposure to sea salt or road salt. Even a small scratch on a metal car bonnet will lead to the risk of rust. This is just one reason why it is worth washing your car once a week to remove the contaminants before they cause damage.
What is the danger of rust?
Whether protected by surface metal treatments or electroless nickel coating from specialists such as www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/electroless-nickel-plating/, metal is in danger of rust attacks. This is particularly so on a car, as corrosion can destroy the metal body and attack operating systems, such as the brakes, fuel, and electronic and electrical systems. These corrosion issues are often hidden until expensive and extensive damage occurs.
How is rust tackled?
When car manufacturers are producing metal body cars, they will most commonly use electroplating techniques to add metal ions to the metal surface or substrate. This generates an electrolyte solution or plating bath. An electrical current is applied to create a reaction that causes the metal ions in the plating bath to form a thin and protective coating on the metal surface, which protects the metal effectively.
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