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45070
Electroplating silver or chrome onto
aluminum
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May 10, '07
Hello.
I am a sculptor in Bath Maine and I have been casting aluminum forms.
I am interested in electroplating a silver or chrome finish
(whichever is easiest) to make my sculptures more shiny. It is hard
to find information on this. Is it possible to electroplate silver
onto aluminum? Does the aluminum need to be pickled first in sulfuric
acid and dipped into a zincate bath? What electrolite solution should
be used for plating and how long should it be dipped? These are my
most pressing questions. Thank you very much.
Vance Alan Bessey
Hobbyist - sculptor - Bath, Maine, USA
+++++++
A plating shop can do this for you if that doesn't offend your
sense of ownership of the artwork, Vance. Chrome plating solutions
are carcinogenic, silver plating requires dangerous cyanide-based
plating solutions, so I'd suggest nickel or electroless nickel. You
don't formulate these solutions, you buy them. Yes, pretreatment
would involve desmutting and zincating.
The Metal Finishing Guidebook is an
inexpensive and widely available resource that your library may have.
Good luck.
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Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
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