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Q&As since 1989


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Loss of amperes - due to high carbonates?

We have a copper plating plant (copper on to lead) that has been running for 12 years now. We do have a problem with high carbonates, we are in the process of changing that, and although the carbonates are still high, it is not above levels that we have had before. The problem is that we cannot get the amps up to plate optimum and our plating time is very slow now. We have had an analysis done, the copper, cyanide etc are all at acceptable levels, but still, the plating is twice as slow as normal.
Where could the problem be?

Susan Smith
Manager - Villiers, South Africa
2007

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It would be a good idea to freeze out a small portion of the bath on a regular basis.

Another way to kickstart the bath is to perform a four hour 60-70 degree temperature treatment with 2 g/l of hydrogen peroxide, 2 g/l of activated carbon, and 2 g/lit of potassium permanganate [on eBay or Amazon] all at a time followed by 8 hours of settling and filtration.

Your bath should be as good as new after that.

Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

2007