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Magnetism in Nickel Bath and Electrocleaner tank

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Q. We have a nickel plating tank that is 47' long x 3' wide x 3' deep with 3 rows of anodes and 2 rows of parts. The line is of a return type design and automated. Our problem is that the parts become magnetic entering the nickel tank and then loose it in the middle and it returns in the last third of the tank. We see a random white area on some of the parts which when tested has very little nickel. We also think the this may be causing some of the anode bags to polarize. There is no magnetism in the parts before or after the nickel tank but we do see the same issue in the electrocleaner while the parts are in it.
We are looking for suggestions as to how to get rid of it and where did it come from.

Joel Smith
- Zeeland, Michigan, USA
April 19, 2012

A. Without seeing your setup, I find it difficult to visualise, but perhaps you have an electromagnetic field being set up somehow.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
May 1, 2012

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