British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Chemistry Glossary - coating - Definition

A coating is something that is often added to a metal to protect it from rusting.

For example, iron is very prone to rusting when exposed to the air or to water so to prevent this a coating is added which might be a paint.

Another example would be a bike chain but we couldn't paint it because it would end up scratching, so we use something else - we cover/coat it in oil to protect it.

In the case of a car - the body work is painted and underneath the metal is dipped i.e. 'galvanised' which means it's coated with zinc. Then the car is painted.

A special paint is added to ships to prevent rusting. Another example would be bridges - the Forth Rail Bridge is coated in special red paint.

Nails have a silver colour because they've been coated, again to prevent rust.