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Electrophoretic deposition
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<p>Electrophoretic deposition (EPD), is a term for a broad range of <a href="/facts/Industrial_process/etguaagU">industrial processes</a> which includes electrocoating, cathodic electrodeposition, anodic electrodeposition, and electrophoretic coating, or electrophoretic painting. A characteristic feature of this process is that <a href="/facts/Colloid/9EVucqND">colloidal</a> particles suspended in a <a href="/facts/Liquid/t9GkLWzt">liquid</a> medium migrate under the influence of an <a href="/facts/Electric_field/tt4MooBs">electric field</a> (<a href="/facts/Electrophoresis/B0aLKHTt">electrophoresis</a>) and are deposited onto an <a href="/facts/Electrode/251PaKX8">electrode</a>. All colloidal particles that can be used to form stable <a href="/facts/Suspension_(chemistry)/S3xp96TL">suspensions</a> and that can carry a charge can be used in electrophoretic deposition. This includes materials such as <a href="/facts/Polymers/eF32E50K">polymers</a>, <a href="/facts/Pigments/I3clCYkF">pigments</a>, <a href="/facts/Dyes/a1NSlcsG">dyes</a>, <a href="/facts/Ceramic/9JKudpqX">ceramics</a> and <a href="/facts/Metals/PT8hNX6R">metals</a>. </p><p>The process is useful for applying materials to any <a href="/facts/Electrically_conductive/akyCKvMy">electrically conductive</a> surface. The materials which are being deposited are the major determining factor in the actual processing conditions and equipment which may be used. </p><p>Due to the wide utilization of electrophoretic painting processes in many industries, aqueous EPD is the most common commercially used EPD process. However, non-aqueous electrophoretic deposition applications are known. Applications of non-aqueous EPD are currently being explored for use in the fabrication of <a href="/facts/Electronic_component/F3NBVv4Q">electronic components</a> and the production of <a href="/facts/Ceramic/9JKudpqX">ceramic</a> coatings. Non-aqueous processes have the advantage of avoiding the <a href="/facts/Electrolysis/pU75nCDI">electrolysis</a> of water and the <a href="/facts/Oxygen_evolution/vPCs8y9G">oxygen evolution</a> which accompanies electrolysis. </p>