I have read conflicting reports on exactly how the thin copper layer is aplied to the zinc core. A couple sites say they are microplated https://www.comsol.com/blogs/electroplating-u-s-mint-makes-penny/ Yet on error-ref.com it says they are given a copper bath. http://www.error-ref.com/incomplete_plating/ Is anyone 100% certain how they are plated?
The mint says they are copper plated. "A major alteration was made in the content of the United States one-cent coin in 1982. It was changed from the standard alloy of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc to copper-plated zinc." https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/manufacturing.aspx The copper plate is 20 microns thick. More info: https://www.comsol.com/blogs/electroplating-u-s-mint-makes-penny/
I know they are copper plated, but I was asking how they are plated. Are zinc planches dipped in copper liquid to plate them or is it done using the laser or some other device?
the standard method to plate an object is to hang it in an electrolyte bath on a wire hanger (cathode) and a rod (anode) of the proper metal in it as well. An electric current breaks down the metal on the anode and draws it to the object. In a barrel plater, the objects are in a barrel that acts as the cathode and as they tumble, they make and break contact with the barrel and each time contact is made, the plating action adds a little more metal to the object. They're not hard to build if you are reasonably handy with tools.
