Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Copper removal

 

I am searching a way to reduce copper content in copper cyanide electroplating bath.

Thank you,

Katia Charland
- Drummondville, QuÈbec, Canada

---

To reduce the copper metal concentration of the bath plate onto scrap metal or better yet, remove some of the plating bath, analyze and adjust the other components. The removed portion of the bath should be properly stored and labeled and then can be used for bath replenishment. To keep you copper metal from rising or to deplete the metal content, use insoluble steel anodes. These can be mixed with copper anodes to adjust the soluble anode area to maintain the necessary metal content. If you are using round ball anode baskets, I like to use steel pipe of a slightly smaller diamenter than the basket, inserted into the empty basket. This allows you to maintain the already determined ratio of anode to cathode area (approx.). The pipe should first be acid pickled to remove any scale and dirt.

Hope this helps.

Gene Packman
process supplier - Great Neck, New York