Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Problem with Woods Nickel Strike

October 5, 2009

Been running Nickel Sulfamate in a mini barrel for some time now (2" diameter barrel). Recently added Woods Nickel Strike for better adhesion. Sometimes cannot get current to flow with Woods. If I raise barrel partially out of fluid, the current jumps up and seems to plate fine. Re-submerge, and current drops to near zero. This is odd, I realize.
Running 100-120 g/l Nickel Chloride, 12% HCL, 75F.
Target 40 ASF which calculates to 30 Amps.
Parts are subsequently plated with Nickel Sulfamate (7-8 ASF/5.6 Amps) and/or other platings. All other platings run fine.
Parts are normally prepped with Alkaline electro-cleaner for 60 seconds (cathodic), then 40%HCL for 30 seconds.
Run two types of parts: 1) Bare copper 2) Nickel Plated Copper

Wayne Wozniak
Shop owner - Prescott, Arizona, USA

Sounds impossible. You are losing contact somewhere. It sounds almost like the dangler is floating for some reason.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
October 7, 2009

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Check and thoroughly clean all your bath's electrical contacts for corrosion - it sounds to me like you have got a poor contact somewhere

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
October 10, 2009

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As James says, perhaps the dangler is floating. But I've also seen cases where the parts float. Depending on their weight, shape, how fast the barrel is rotating, and the particulars of the rib design, sometimes parts flutter back to the bottom of the barrel rather than rolling back at an angle of repose.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 12, 2009