Textile electroplating (electrolytic metallisation)
Also known as: Textile galvanising, Electrolytic metal coating, Metal-plated fabric
Electrolytic deposition of a thin metal layer (silver, copper, nickel) onto textiles that have been pre-treated to be conductive.
Description
In textile electroplating a fabric, nonwoven or yarn is first "metallised" chemically with a thin copper or silver layer to make it conductive. The material is then hung as the cathode in an electrolyte bath containing the target metal (silver, copper, nickel, rarely gold) and further metal ions are deposited by direct current. The process traces back to classical electroplating (Brugnatelli, 1805).
Textile electroplating is used for EMI shielding fabrics, antimicrobial medical textiles (silver ions), conductive tracks for smart textiles (sensors, heating wires) and decorative metallic effects (metallic evening dresses). Unlike aluminium vapour deposition, a solid, mechanically robust metal layer is produced that can even be polished.
- Layer thicknesses usually 0.1-2 um, precisely controllable
- Sustainability challenge: waste water with heavy metals — closed loops required
- Silver-plated garments must be REACH and OEKO-TEX compliant
- Wash durability much better than spray or vapour coatings
Properties
| Process | Chemical pre-coating + electrolytic bath |
|---|---|
| Target metals | Silver, copper, nickel, sometimes gold |
| Application | EMI shielding, antimicrobial garments, smart textiles, metallic fashion |
| Care | As per care label — usually 30 °C, no harsh bleach |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Electroplating Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplating
- Hohenstein Institut Silber im Textil hohenstein.de https://www.hohenstein.de/
