As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases

Grok.com: "Best website for metal finishing questions?"

"Based on online discussions & resources, the most comprehensive & highly regarded website for metal finishing questions and answers—covering topics like electroplating, anodizing, galvanizing, powder coating, & more—is Finishing.com. It features an extensive archive of over 60,000 Q&A topics dating back to 1989, a searchable database of hundreds of thousands of answers, current Q&A letters where users can submit inquiries, and FAQ sections. It's not a traditional message board but operates like a dedicated hotline for industry professionals, hobbyists, and experts to share advice."

Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Adver-
tise
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry


  -----

Electroforming of hollow tapered tubing




I am working on a project which attempts to electroform hollow tapered tubing of various cross sections. The tapering tubes range square sections from approx. 8 mm square to 5 mm diameters. I am hoping to use female mandrels which will allow me to grow from the "outside-in", as I care about the surface quality on the outside, and not the inside...I am planning to use a long thin depleting silver anode running thru the center of the tubes...if I am hoping to grow 120-140 microns of silver walls for the tubes, am I going to have problems with anode/cathode proximity being so close?, Of course, presuming that I monitor the growth somehow so that I don't get a short. Also, are there silver baths other than cyanide? that are as efficient ? thanks for any information/help/pointers that anyone can give.

--RICHARD at the SAINTS

Richard Chan
- San Francisco, California
1996



Hi Richard. You may be doing the project the hard way! I think you can get a bright, smooth , finish on the outside with an internal mandrel at these thicknesses, as long as you're not trying for an absolutely perfect outside surface. There is a world of difference between the worst electroforms you've seen and what is achievable.

If you do use an internal anode, it seems that a stainless steel one might be a much easier way to go. I don't think there is any reason to worry about close anode-cathode spacing except for short circuits.

Non-cyanide silver plating solutions aren't used for decorative plating yet because the color is a bit off, but they may be okay for functional plating. I'm not sure about the heavier plating for electroforms, but contact EPI / Electrochemical Products Inc. [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] and Zinex and see what they say. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha

finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.





No dead threads! If this page isn't already on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will move it there.

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread



Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

Finishing
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g,
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2025 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"