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Copper Coating

 

We are making components out of mild steel. We want to coat these components with copper. We've tried dipping them in copper sulphate [on eBay or Amazon] solution and they are becoming coated but after a few minutes they tarnish. How could I prevent this from happening.

Orion
- South Africa

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Hi, Orion. Immersion plating in copper sulphate solution produces an extremely thin coating which stops building as soon as the steel is very thinly coated. Robust copper coating requires electroplating from a cyanide or pyrophosphate plating bath.

I suspect that a dip in sodium benzotriazole [on eBay or Amazon] could help deter the tarnish. Good luck

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

I want to use a simple 1/4" thick copper plate as a heat sink for our components. What kind of coating will prevent oxidization and retain the great heat sink capabilities of the copper plate? Thanks!

Ryan Thomas
- SLC, Utah
May 4, 2009

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May 6, 2009

Hi, Ryan. Sodium benzotriazole would be the best shot. Sodium dichromate might work well but is not RoHS compatible.

Regards,

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

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2005

Hi,

I ask for info about steel (hi speed steel) coating with copper (60 to 150 microm layer of copper), what is the available processes (non electric processes-I look for chemical one) with its info, processes info, chemical solution, deposition rate, and the mechanical properties: hardness, yield strength (if available: I look for nearly 60 MPa) and ultmite tensile strength, and its heat-treatment processes data and it mechanical priorities results (the yield strength most apove 250 MPa), to be used in medical device.

Thanks, please no phone call.

Moh. F. El-Dweak
- Cairo, Egypt