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Stripping electroplated zinc from copper

2006

I need to strip some zinc from a copper contact so I can check the copper part for cracking. I just have a few pieces to do. Whats the best way to do this? Can I remove it with an acid, or reverse plate it off?

Rick Fischer

2006

Sir:
Dilute hydrochloric acid at room temperature should do the job. You can buy concentrated hydrochloric acid 20 degrees baumé at the hardware store for about $5/gallon under the name muriatic acid [affil links] (used to clean bricks). Try a small sample piece first. Also limit the time the product is in the acid and rinse fully.
Regards,

Dr. Thomas H. Cook
Hot Springs, So. Dakota

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Ed. note: Low cost of living out there in So. Dakota. People keep quoting "about $5/gal" but my hardware store wants about $5 for a pint :-)

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