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Setting up a small scale nickel sulfamate bath in a university  

January 20, 2009

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 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 Cowan
Researching Student - Christchurch, New Zealand

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, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Electrofoming in a 400ml beaker is going to cause you lots of problems, so don't start it. You will need at least 4 litres and that will be for a small electroform. You will need good temperature control (+/- 1C), filtration at about 10 tank volumes per hour, sulphur nickel rounds as anodes, good current control, bath agiotation, good workpice preparation. The list is endless, so read a book on electroforming before you embark on it.

Good luck

Trevor Crichton R&D practical scientist - UK