What is the Difference Between Coating and Plating?

The main difference between coating and plating lies in the type of surface they can be applied to and the methods used for their application. Here are the key distinctions:

• Coating: Coating can be done on both conductive and non-conductive surfaces. It is typically applied using techniques such as brushes, spraying, or electrostatically, and then curing it under heat. Coating is often used for decorative purposes, functional purposes, or both, and can be found in various applications, including paints, lacquers, and powder coatings.
• Plating: Plating is a type of coating in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. It can only be done on conducting surfaces and is often used for aesthetic purposes, corrosion prevention, improving solderability, hardening, reducing friction, changing conductivity, improving infrared reflectivity, shielding against radiation, and more. Plating entails applying a metal to a surface using an external electric current or a number of techniques. The most common plating technique is electroplating, which uses an electric current to deposit a thin layer of a chosen metal onto the surface.

In summary, coating can be applied to both conductive and non-conductive surfaces, while plating is limited to conductive surfaces. Coating is often applied using simpler techniques or inexpensive technology, whereas plating usually involves more complex processes like electroplating.

Comparative Table: Coating vs Plating

The main difference between coating and plating is that coating can be done on both conductive and non-conductive surfaces, whereas plating is typically done on conductive surfaces. Here is a table comparing the two processes:

In summary, both coating and plating are techniques used to apply a protective layer to surfaces, but they differ in the types of substrates they can be applied to, the processes involved, the materials used, and their primary purposes.