Properties, application and future trend of rare earth elements in electrodeposition of chromium, tin, zinc, Zn-Ni, Ni-Fe and composite coatings are summarized.

• 综述了稀土元素的性质和在电镀铬、锡、锌、锌-镍合金、镍-铁合金以及在复合镀技术中的应用现状和前景。