Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
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for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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Ductile Iron Zinc Plating
Our shop is trying to switch from a malleable to a ductile iron base metal and then zinc plate. When the ductile iron parts are plated using the same chemistry we use to plate the malleable parts the recessed crevices have a black soot that I suspect is graphite. Any ideas on how to address this. I think a more aggressive electroclean will solve part of the problem, but do I need to change anything on the HCl acid etch/pickle?
David A. McWilliams- Columbus, Nebraska, USA
You didn't mention whether you use acid zinc or alkaline zinc. The bad news is that alkaline zinc is probably unsuitable for these parts. It has to do with a fairly complex phenomenon called 'hydrogen overvoltage', but in brief, zinc will not deposit on carbon-rich areas.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
We had the same problem. I switched the pickle to 5% sulfuric acid, and the problem was solved.
Michael Brewington- Salisbury, Maryland, USA
Our shop uses an acid zinc process. Ammonium Chloride Zinc bath.
David A. McWilliams- Columbus, Nebraska, USA
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