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Copper Plating Issue: Uneven distribution
Q. I have a long rectangle Acid copper tank in our company. we used it for the copper plate to PCB panels.
For the past 6 months, I notice that panels take a very long time for copper deposits. So I checked the current supply to Anode (+ve Copper Bar) and I found uneven current distribution throughout the tank. (Please see the attached image).
In a long rectangular tank, we provide 6 connection points (3 On the Left side + 3 On the right side) to Anode. We use a rectifier to supply DC current. I verify the connection and power supply everything looks good. I can't figure out why we are having a current loss?
Can you please help me on how can I solve the issue of the uneven distribution of current? Please let me know if you have any questions.
- BREA California
September 17, 2021
A. Hi Mayur. We have no sketches or photos from you -- please attach them to e-mail to mooney@finishing.com. Copper bus bar carries 1000 Amps per square inch. Between this calculation and looking for hot spots in the bussing you should be able to determine what is wrong. Remember that the cathode bussing, not just the anode bussing, must be capable of distributing the current.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 2021
⇩ Closely related postings, oldest first ⇩
2003
Q. Dear Sir,
We are doing copper plating on CRCA steel strip of 0.350 mm thickness and 300 mm width on continuous copper plating line. We are facing the problem of the plating. I am writing below the details of process and the problems. Kindly advise.
Copper Plating Process :
· Using 11-tank Copper plating process, 7-tank cleaning process, two tanks plating process.
· First strike plating tank # 8, having pH 11.04, KCN: 5.2 g/l, CuCN : 21.44g/l, Rochelle Salt [on eBay or Amazon] : 12.65 g/l, Carbonate : 118.68 g/l. Current : 2000 Amps. Four Current Rollers, 3 bottom rollers, 7 anode baskets, Cu anode in 1" dia X 3" long pieces placed in baskets, level above the solution level. Tank Capacity : 11,000 l.
· Second Main plating bath # 9, having pH 12.4, KCN: 11.44 g/l, CuCN : 51.82g/l, Rochelle Salt: 15.18 g/l, Carbonate : 143.52 g/l. Current : 3000 Amps. Four Current Rollers, 3 bottom rollers, 7 anode baskets, Cu anode in 1" dia X 3" long pieces placed in baskets, level above the solution level. Tank Capacity : 11,000 l. line speed 20 ft/min.
Problem :
· Cu thickness not even on both the sides of the strip, i.e., topside & bottom side. One side is 3 times the other side (checked under microscope). · Average copper coating thickness (checked by chemical stripping method) side of the strip (strip width 300mm , thickness 0.350 mm), i.e., left & right more. Center 7.15 Microns, Left side 9.1 microns. Right side 9.17 microns. · No peel off, blister problem, adhesion is good.
· Cu anodes do not dissolve, consumption of CuCN high.
Does copper plating has affect on microstructure of steel strip?
Kindly advise .
SUKHDEV NARAYAN- VADODARA, GUJARAT, INDIA
A. It is necessary to consider the amount of free cyanide in the bath. 10 g/l.
Ivan Noguera- Colombia
2003
"Electroplating and Electroless plating of Copper and Its Alloys"
by N. Kanani
on
AbeBooks
or
Amazon
(affil links)
A. Mr Narayan,
Please maintain:
Free cyanide above 12 to 13 GPL. Minimum.
Check that copper Cyanide level is above 18 GPl to 20 GPL.
Reduce Carbonates to 80 GPL
Check current uniformity at every individual busbar with a tong tester in Amps drawn, once a shift.
Increase anode area by 25 % if possible.
Circulate the solution using a pump (not air) against the flow of sheet.
Chemistry and some physical aspects will help uniform deposits.
Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016
Copper plating near middle of long rods is not thick enough
Q. We are coating copper on low carbon steel rods from 12 mm dia to 19 mm dia with the length of 8 feet and 10 feet.
Getting 25% low thickness on middle of the rod. Our deposition is 250 micron.
Kindly guide us for check points and corrective action for the same.
Regards,
- Kolkata/West Bengal/ Kolkata
January 17, 2018
A. Hi Amalendu. You posted your question on a thread about passive copper anodes, but I moved it because I don't see a good reason to attribute this problem to passive anodes. It's probably more about current distribution, although 25% variation is pretty good already :-)
Are you doing acid copper plating? If so, I hope you did a nickel strike or a cyanide copper strike or your problems are just beginning because acid copper won't adhere to steel :-)
Are you racking these rods vertically or horizontally? If vertically, shorter anodes (or baskets) should help considerably. The copper goes where the current flows, and shorter anodes will mean the current has to travel further (against greater resistance) to get to the bottom of the rods, causing lesser thickness at the bottom and more in the middle.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 2018
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