ELECTROPLATING

Electroplating is the process of plating metal with another metal. Electroplating uses a process called electrodeposition to apply metal coating on a conductive surface. This includes chromium plating, nickel plating, zinc plating, copper plating, electroless nickel plating and the associated baths, chemistries and pollution control methods.

Choosing and Troubleshooting Copper Electroplating Processes

Learn more on this inexpensive and highly efficient process.

Electroplating: Essential Reading

Automated Electroplating Systems

Simultaneous engineering reduces energy and resource consumption.

Chromium Plating

An overview of decorative and hard chromium electroplating processes.

Nickel Electroplating

Applications, plating solutions, brighteners, good operating practices and troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Bright Nickel Processes: How to Identify the Problem

For bright nickel process troubleshooting, Doug Lay of Coventya suggests narrowing the scope with a checklist.

Controlling Quality of Zinc Flake Coatings on Steel Fasteners

Scott McEuen, North American business development manager of zinc flake coatings at Atotech, explains how the quality of zinc flake coatings depends on good adhesion and bonding to the substrate of the fasteners.

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FAQ: Electroplating

What is the difference between hexavalent and trivalent chrome?

The sulfate/chloride process has shown indefinite electrolyte life, process stability, ease of use, and excellent exterior corrosion performance. From an operational performance standpoint, throwing power is much better with trivalent chromium.  Trivalent chromium is also extremely forgiving with respect to current interruption (this feature eliminates the occurrence of white wash commonly experienced with hexavalent chromium). The advantages of improved covering power and uniform thickness have eliminated the need for use of auxiliary anodes for plating difficult geometries.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/how-trivalent-chrome-compares-to-hexavalent

How do you apply the 720 rule to current density anodizing?

The 720 Rule describes the relationship between the amount of current passed through an aluminum surface and the resultant anodic oxide thickness produced over time. It is known that 720 amp-minutes of current per square foot of load are required to produce one mil (0.001" or 25.4 microns) of anodic oxide.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/how-to-apply-the-720-rule-to-current-density-anodizing

How do you calculate electroless nickel square footage?

Calculating the proper square footage of work that you would be able to process through your EN bath is key for determining the proper costing for a job, as well as, providing a reference for proper bath performance. As we are trying to calculate for the square footage, or the area, that can be processed through a solution, you would also need to consider the thickness of your final product. As the thickness increases per part, the total amount of nickel eligible to be plated decreases, thus decreasing the amount of area that can be plated.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/calculating-electroless-nickel-square-footage

How is electrolysis used in electroplating ?

In electrolysis, in contrast to chemical synthesis, one can easily control the reaction rate of a system by working at a given current density, or easily select the magnitude of the driving force for the reaction by adjustment of the electrode potential. Modern electronics has greatly enhanced this inherent advantage of electrolysis by allowing current or voltage to be applied as almost any function of time.

https://www.pfonline.com/articles/qualitative-approach-to-pulse-plating

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