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-----:How to increase hardness of the electroformed sheets of nickel
Quickstart:
Electroforming is essentially the same process as electroplating. We call it electroforming if the plated layer becomes the actual object rather than being a coating on another object. Hollow gold teardrop earrings formed by plating onto wax teardrops are one example. The nickel stampers for vinyl records, which are created by plating onto a lacquer master and then separating the electroform from the master are another example.
Electroforms are generally much thicker than usual plated layers, which may dictate somewhat different chemistry or operating conditions. Nickel is the most often used metal for electroforms, but copper and gold are also common.
The mold or form which is plated upon to create the electroform is called the mandrel and it can be disposable -- made of wax which can be melted away, or aluminum which can be dissolved away -- or it can be a reusable/permanent mandrel of almost any material -- but in this case the electroform must be mechanically separable from the mandrel.
adv.
Q. I am in hologram business. I have nickel sulfamate bath to produce electroformed thin nickel sheets. I want to increase the hardness of the sheets. Any suggestions? For me the most preferable method would be playing with existing process parameters (if possible!) rather than using additives...
Moreover, I appreciate if someone gives advice about the operation of the Hull Cell ⇦ huh?
equipment. By carrying out hull cell tests, which information can I get about how the bath contents (concentrations) effect the produced sheet, and the current density, throwing power etc....... Thank you for your replies already! :)
plating shop - UK
2005
A. Moving to nickel-cobalt is probably the best way to improve the properties, including hardness.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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A. Ted's idea will work, but it requires quite a bit more frequent lab testing until cobalt additions are down to an amp/hour science. - Navarre, Florida A. Nickel can be given increased hardnesses by either adding up to 1g/l sodium saccharin or by using nickel-cobalt alloys. The former is susceptible to sulfur embrittlement if used at temperatures above about 160 °C and the latter is more difficult to control.  Trevor Crichton R&D practical scientist Chesham, Bucks, UK A. Just to add that the tensiometer, rather than the Hull cell, is the tool of choice for electroformers. Hope you already have one and use it. Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico |
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