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Beryllium nickel descaling

1999

I am plating a aluminum connector shell with .0005 mid phos electroless nickel. the shell is sent out and a heat treated beryllium nickel part is soldered to the shell. the shell is returned to me to plate cyanide cadmium onto the entire part.

My question is.....what do I use to descale the beryllium nickel part soldered on the nickel that will not affect the electroless nickel......in other words what can I use that descales the Be-Ni but at the same doesn't harm the electroless ni deposit. And also, what would be causing pitting in the cadmium deposit over the electroless deposit... I am currently using a low ph nickel stike over the EN deposit to reactivate.

The BE-Ni is getting bad adhesion, he adhesion is good over the EN with the exception to the pitting. the parts are rejects and rework is difficult next to impossible. Thank you

todd huehn
blaine, Minnesota

This is not an easy problem as beryllium oxide is relatively inert. The only chances seem to be fused caustics or hydrofluoric acid. Molten sodium or potassium hydroxide will dissolve beryllium oxide with minimal nickel attack. Nickel also has good resistance to hydrofluoric acid. Review all the safety and corrosion information on these chemicals before attempting anything. These chemicals are very dangerous.

Robert Lyons
- Niskayuna, New York
2001

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