Letter 15045

En Plating on Leaded Steel Alloys [California] 

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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, NC, USA Editor's note:        Mr. Probert is the    author of Aluminum How-To

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 stricke underlayer.

Gabriel Schonwald
- Israel

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