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-----Plating aluminum without zincating
Q. I need to electroless nickel plate aluminum parts for a space instrument. Zinc is not allowed. When using zincate to prepare the aluminum for the electroless nickel, is there zinc remaining on the part or is all of the zinc removed in the electroless nickel bath.
William PerryResearch and Development - San Antonio, Texas
2003
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A. Good luck! Most of the zinc stays there, and it is difficult to electroplate aluminum without zincating. The only alternative I've heard of is to electroplate onto a phosphoric acid anodized aluminum surface, but I don't personally know anyone who has done it.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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A. Teflon can be applied with a dip process or can be sprayed, after the last rinse but before sealing.
Drew Nosti, CEF
Anodize USA - Ladson, South Carolina
Update! Although I'm not familiar with the process myself, Raafat Albendary reports a method to electroplate onto aluminum without involving zinc in thread 173/11.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
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finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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January 30, 2025
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