Letter 27008

Copper plating  

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I'm a high shool student doing an experiment on the effect of epsom salt on electroplating. I want to plate copper onto zinc. I'm using a 6-volt lantern battery. The copper strip is connected to the + side and zinc is connected to the - side. The solution I'm using is 10 grams Cupric sulfate diluted in 100 mL of water w/ 2 grams of salt added. I keep getting a black tarnish on the zinc and a more build up of black stuff when I added the salt. I have tried different types of zinc materials like zinc plated and galvanized cathode but I still got the same result. What am I doing wrong?

Mary
student - Houston, Texas, US

Please start with our FAQ on "Electroplating: How it Works" and either electroplate copper onto nickel or brass, or plate zinc onto copper. You can't plate electroplate copper onto zinc from simple salt solutions. Also use only 1-1/2 volts (maybe 3 V max), 6 V is too much. Good luck.

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

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