Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Nickel plating on acid copper plated lead based idols

WE ARE MANUFACTURING IDOLS MADE OF LEAD AND THEY ARE FIRST ACID COPPER PLATED AND TO SILVER PLATING THE SAME WE ARE DOING BRIGHT NICKEL PLATING, BUT THE NICKEL PLATING PROCESS TAKES A LOT OF TIME ALMOST DOUBLE THE NORMAL TIME TAKEN ON OTHER ARTICLES MADE OF BRASs, etc. WHAT MAY BE THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION?

IBRAHIM BHAISAHEB

2006

---

Hello Ibrahim,
The problem of slow nickel deposition could mean power source problems to the amount of Ni metal in solution. In other words, there are too many possible causes for the problem. Bright Ni should be over 90% cathode efficient. Your whole process should be reviewed from equipment to chemistry. You could do your own efficiency test in the lab to try to eliminate equipment problems. If the efficiency test proves the same slow deposition rates, than your problem is with the Ni chemistry. Without knowing the latest analysis data, or when the bath was last carbon treated, I can't be of much help to you.

Mark Baker

2006