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What problems should I expect plating copper over lead alloys
Is there a practical way to copper plate a few small lead alloy objects? If so what chemicals other than copper sulphate [on
eBay or
Amazon]and battery acid
[affil links] would be involved?
Alloy content percentage is not a given but, mostly lead with, tin, and antimony are likely involved.
hobbyist - Conover, North Carolina, USA
June 4, 2009
Forget acid copper plating on lead-you must use cyanide based plating bath,but you can use old copper tartrate bath, or ferrocyanide based bath too.There are many old and download free electroplating handbooks (by Gore, Watt, Langbein etc.-all at www.archive.org website).
hope it helps and good luck!
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
June 9, 2009
Q. Hi, I'm looking for the ideal solution to plate copper on lead in a rotary plater. From reading it would seem that CuSO4 at a certain concentration is the best candidate. First off is that correct? Then are are there any hazardous materials disposal to be concerned with? Thanks much for the help.
David Bolliger- Broomfield, Colorado
July 14, 2012
A. Hi again. We've appended your 'chemistry/plating' inquiry to a previous discussion of a similar topic. But as for hazardous materials disposal --
A former governor of New Jersey explained the situation very succinctly with eight small words: " 'Toxic' is a matter of statute, not opinion". Electroplating is a "categorically regulated" industry, meaning that the disposal of all waste from it is regulated, regardless of concentration, even the most dilute final rinses. A hobbyist may not be subject to those regulations, but any shop which sells plating services or sells items that they plate themselves is regulated. Usually, you start the permitting process at your local POTW. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 18, 2012
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