Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Plating magnesium

I have a Thixomolded magnesium component that is to be finished with a bright nickel chrome finish. I have a delamination issue within the copper layer of the plating which is as follows: electroless Ni, copper cyanide it is cleaned with alcohol and followed by acid copper several layers, nickel, bright nickel. The delamination is occurring in the copper layers, and I am questioning the compatibility of the alkaline copper cyanide and the acid copper layers. I appreciate any advise on the matter.

Kendall Casper
Automotive - Paris, Illinois, USA
2007

---

Copper cyanide plating followed by acid copper plating has been widely used in many industries for decades, Kendall, so there is no fundamental incompatibility. Your process supplier should be able to help you with this, but just as a wild guess I'd suggest looking into chrome contamination because I have seen it cause this problem.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

---

Maybe there's something with the intermediate alcohol cleaning step. Why do you do this? In my opinion, a simple thorough water rinse verifying it doesn't break would suffice.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2007