Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Conforming Anodes in Nickel Sulfamate?

2003

We are plating with nickel sulfamate on copper to a typical plating thickness of .060 inches. The traditional part shape is a flat plate, although some parts have slight folds and crevices in them. The high points near these folds tends to result in a thicker plating and vise versa for the lower points on the plate.

I have read that conforming anodes are widely used in chrome plating. However I also read nickel sulfamate plating has an advantage over other processes in that it does not require conforming anodes for irregularly shaped parts. This is ironic, because we are trialing conforming anodes in our nickel sulfamate process in order to help eliminate some plating thickness irregularities caused by the shape of some parts. Is this correct, are conforming anodes supposed to be un-necessary in nickel sulfamate plating?

Thanks in advance for any comments offered.

Mike Powers
Technical Manager - Stevensville, Michigan, USA

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Dear Sir,

Nickel sulphamate baths are selected to reduce/eliminate internal internal stress in the deposit which are normally thick unlike decorative plating and not for leveling high CD and low CD deposits. Conforming anodes will help achieve uniformity in the deposit with minimum build up at high CD area like edges/corners.

K.V.Phadnis
- Bombay, Maharashtra, India
2003