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Masking before nickel and gold plate
Q. Do you know of a masking material that can be applied selectively onto a copper plated mandrel and withstand a nickel plating bath for 8 hours @ 120 degrees without allowing under plating. This is an R&D project with great order potential if successful. We have been using masking XL-88 and MT-6000WB without much succsess. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Victor Parastschenkoelectrodeposited nickel bellows - Oakridge, New Jersey
2003
A. There is no reason that numerous commercially available maskants should not work. They do need to be applied correctly and for long or harsh plating cycles they will need to have more than one coat to prevent plating thru pinhole voids. You should have virtually no seepage under the masking unless you are using an unrealistic etch cycle. There is a possibility that you are not letting the maskant cure properly before the plating cycle. Some things from the same company work better than some of their other products. There are also several sources. Surely one of them will satisfy your needs if it is properly used.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2003
A. I'm answering my own question. After several weeks passed I called masking manufacturer and it was recommended that I mix 2 parts of masking with one part MEK / methyl ethyl ketone reducer. This worked well. I also tested with nail polish with teflon in it (wet'wild/speed zone) this worked even better, due to the fact is thinner and much better to apply for precision masking in intricate areas.
Victor Parastschenko- Cedar Grove, New Jersey
2003
Q. Hi
Can anyone help me. I am working with plating a bi-metal of steel and with a copper lead lining. The type of plate varies, some has a nickel underlay and then Pb Sn overlay. I only need to plate the Copper lead lining and not the steel. However I am having problems with plating the steel which means a lot of effort to remove after plate. Are there any ideas I am missing for avoiding this?
- Taunton, Somerset, UK
August 22, 2012
A. Guess what, size, shape and locations make all of the difference in the world on how to mask. A picture(s) would also help.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
August 24, 2012
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