Nickel 201 Grade Cleaning: Smart, Proven Shop Method

Summary for nickel 201 grade cleaning Discussion

Nickel 201 grade cleaning is discussed as a process that depends on the soil and the intended end use. Kumar Shah asked how to clean nickel containing about 98% nickel. Ted Mooney replied that plating shops would typically use a hot electrocleaner and then, after rinsing, about 20% HCl. He also cautioned that the right method depends on what contaminants need removal and whether the part will be painted, electroplated, or left bare. In other words, the thread does not give a single universal cleaning recipe; it points to a common shop practice and stresses that the application matters before choosing the final cleaning step.

Q. I would like to know how can I clean Nickel -201 grade , which contains around 98% nickel.

Kumar shah
– Mumbai, Mahrashtra, India
2005

A. Hi Kumar. Typically, plating shops would put this through a hot electrocleaner and, after rinsing, through about 20% HCl.

What soils do you wish to remove and for what reason? Do you intend to paint it, or electroplate it, or leave it bare? What application?

Regards,

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha

finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey



Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.

2005


Q. I have the same problems, I must clean the electro-plated nickel layer in order for removing the oxidation and meanwhile activate the nickel layer to reflow with solder, and after reflow, I must clean the nickel layer again due to the oxidation forming during reflow. Then second reflow would be performed to make hermetic welding, the second cleaning is contradictory,i use hydrochloric acid to rinse off the oxidation, but this solution corrode the solder layer to make it look grey and black, it is hard to remove this dark layer. by the way, the solder I use is Pb-Sn-Ag alloy. How can I do it? Looking forward to your advice.

TJi
– WUXi, Jiangsu province of China
2005


A. Hi TJi. Sorry, I don’t know the ideal cleaning steps for this specialized procedure. But it sounds like you are doing “glass-to-metal seals” or “ceramic-to-metal seals”, and those terms will lead to productive searches on this site as well as the broader internet. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha

finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey



Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.

October 2013