Element used in electroplating (3)
I believe the answer is:
tin
'element' is the definition.
(I know that tin is a chemical substance)
'in electroplating' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TIN' is hidden in the letters of 'electroplating'.
'used' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tin that I've seen before include "Canister" , "A silvery-white metal often in cans" , "Atomic number 50" , "Cornish metal?" , "Silvery white metal" .)