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Copper plating isn't sticking onto SS foil

2007

My goal is to put a .35" diameter circle of copper, about 0.005" thick, on a 0.0015" thick x 1" wide SS foil strip. (300 series SS feeler gauge from Eastern Industries: www.easterngage.com/stock-feeler-gages.asp)

My purpose is to conduct some heat transfer experiments, including lateral transfer rates.

My experience is science fair electro-plating of Cu on carbon steel, using copper sulphate, and Ni on carbon steel, using nickel ammonium sulphate [affil link to product info on Amazon]. My "prep" consisted of simmering the steel briefly in vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil link] . The plating looked really good.

I tried Cu on SS last weekend, got good deposition, but it FELL off. I only cleaned with acetone on one trial, but also used emery cloth to roughen the surface on the other.

I have gathered--from a metal roofing website: home.comcast.net/~easyroofsales/copper_plated.htm--that I might have better luck if I 'prime' the surface with a bit of nickel, then plate copper over that.

My equipment includes a lab-grade power supply, so I can control current density with ease.

I hope someone finds this intriguing!

David W Pennington
hobbyist plater, but professional labrat, otherwise - Fox Lake, Illinois, USA

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Indeed, stainless steel must be nickel plated first -- but not just any nickel plating, it needs a Wood's Nickel Strike (high chloride, acidic, low nickel concentration). Info can be found by searching this site or in the Metal Finishing Guidebook.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

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