Electrolytic plating is the deposition of a metal on a conductor using an
electric current. A plastic surface must first be made conductive in order to
be electrolytically plated. This can be done through electroless plating or by
the use of conductive additives such as carbon. The part to be
electrolytically plated is immersed in a solution of metal salts connected to
a cathodic direct current source, and an anodic conductor is immersed in the
bath to complete the electrical circuit. Electric current flows from the
cathode to the anode, and the electron flow reduces the dissolved metal ions
to pure metal on the cathodic surface. The anode is usually made from the same
metal, and dissolves during the electroplating process, replenishing the
plating bath.
