44025

Chrome in nickel bath [Austria] 

February 14, 2007

Our company produces galvanic nickel deposition.
In our nickel bath we have nickelsulfate, nickelchloride and boric acid.
Did the concentration of 10mg/l chrome reduce the cathode efficiency?
Which other problems can we have with chrome in nickel bath?
When yes, how can we remove this chrome (with methods and chemicals) to have no problems with the normal deposition of nickel?

Claudius Vergeiner
- Langkampfen, Tirol, Austria

A very small addition of sodium thiosulfate will reduce the chrome to trivalent and it will cause no problems thereafter.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF - Spartanburg, SC, USA

A small amount of sodium thiosulafte will work,as Jeff has stated but if you don't want to go the checmical route you could filter it with a fresh filter & a good carbon pack or another way to go is with an ion exchange unit,that will take nickel out of chrome as well,but it is not meant to be run for long periods because eventually will start takeing the chrome out of your bath.

Best Regards,

Brian C. Gaylets
- Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.