Process of coating with metal by means of an electric current .
Plating metal may be transferred to conductive surfaces (e.g., metals) or to nonconductive surfaces (e.g., plastics, wood, leather) if a conductive coating has been applied. Usually the current deposits a given amount of metal on the cathode (workpiece) and the anode (source of metal) dissolves to the same extent, maintaining a fairly uniform solution. gold plating is on jewelry and watch cases. Zinc coatings prevent the corrosion of steel articles, and {{link=nickel">nickel and chromium plate are used on automobiles and household appliances. See also terneplate , Sheffield plate .