En Plating on Leaded Steel Alloys

Letter 15045

En Plating on Leaded Steel Alloys

++

We need to plate Electroless Nickel onto Leaded steel alloys such as 12L17. Under the Microscope we are experiencing pits in the nickel. Can anyone suggest a preplate treatment strike? etc. We suspect the lead oxide is the cause of the problem.

Jim Kronus
- Escondido, CA

++

Clean-Rinse-Dip in 50%/vol Fluoboric Acid-Rinse- then plate in anything. Lead forms insolubles in Sulfuric Acid and Hydrochloric Acid. Lead does not form an insoluble in Fluoboric Acid.

Ideally you would strike and/or plate in a Fluoboric Acid Matrix Nickel solution.

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

Editor's note:
   Mr. Probert is the
   author of Aluminum How-To / Aluminio El Como

++

I agree with the previous reply, a dip in fluoboric acid will solve your problem.

Sara Michaeli
    chemical process supplier
Israel

++

You can also overcome adhesion problems with a copper strike underlayer.

Gabriel Schonwald
Interplate Ltd.

Bnei Berak, Israel

Dear Reader, please --

Post a new question

Answer or follow-up on this subject (in non-commercial fashion).

Legal disclaimer boilerplate button