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Plating 6061 aluminum without using copper

I AM TRYING TO PLATE 6061 ALUMINUM WITHOUT USING COPPER. MY CLIENT IS REQUESTING THIS PROCESS BECAUSE THEY WANT NO BUILD UP OF COPPER. THEY ARE CURRENTLY GETTING THIS PROCESS, BUT WE CANT SEEM TO DO IT! PLEASE ADVISE..

VICTOR WEIL
PLATING - FORT WORTH , Texas
2003

For mere mortals, it will depend on what you are trying to plate on 6061. I assume that you are using a double zincate prep step. Alkaline electroless nickel is better than copper for an under coat in my opinion.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

Electroless nickel with the double zincate is the way to go!

Michael Zuraw
- Georgetown, Ontario
2003

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Do you want better or best? The best for wrought 6061 is: Single dilute Zincate for 30 seconds, CWR, 4 oz/gal Sodium Bicarbonate room temp, CWR, Alkaline Electroless Nickel, then anything you want to plate on it.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

2003