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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Setting up a small scale nickel sulfamate bath in a university
I am currently a student working for the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. My supervisor has asked me to investigate the in's and out's of setting up a small scale Nickel Sulfamate bath to plate electroforms. During my research I have compiled an electroplating solution formula by looking at papers from 1954! The solution is relatively simple consisting of Nickel Sulfamate, DI water, boric acid and a wetting agent Lauryl Sulphate. The electroplating tank will most likely be a 400 ml beaker [beakers on eBay or Amazon (adv.)] to give you an idea of the scale of the electroplating station. My supervisor has told me the University has the appropriate hazardous chemical disposal methods, etc. Is there anything else I should be considering before I advise my supervisor on how to setup this station?
Peter CowanResearching Student - Christchurch, New Zealand
January 20, 2009
Hi, Peter. Temperature control and agitation are important, but probably no problem to do with a hot plate and magnetic stirrer for such a small container. An issue you haven't talked about is the material of construction of the mandrel (wax, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) Good luck.
Regards,
![Ted Mooney, finishing.com](../portraits/ted_mooney_beach.jpg)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 21, 2009
Electroforming in a 400ml beaker is going to cause you lots of problems, so don't start it. You will need at least 4 liters and that will be for a small electroform. You will need good temperature control (± 1C), filtration at about 10 tank volumes per hour, sulfur nickel rounds as anodes, good current control, bath agitation, good workpiece preparation. The list is endless, so read a book on electroforming before you embark on it.
Good luck
![trevor crichton](../portraits/trevor_crichton.jpg)
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
January 29, 2009
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