Metal finishing Q&As since 1989



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Electrodeposition of aluminum onto graphite

Can anyone recommend a solvent and electrolyte system for electrodeposition of aluminum onto graphite? Ideally, I would like a thin, pure, smooth layer of aluminum; I don't have a problem with working with an organic electrolyte, like toluene. The main system that looks promising so far is aluminum bromide/ethyl bromide; I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions that might work for me. I appreciate any help.

Benjamin Hertzberg
Student - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
January 11, 2011

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January 12, 2011

It is a proprietary process that is owned by a company in Minnesota. It takes an unusual part to be cost effective.

I assume that it is patented, so you could do a search of patents and get a general idea. I think that you can use the process for "personal" use as long as you do not sell it. You need to refer to the patent# and date in your paper. There is an outside possibility that the MN company might support your research for proper recognition of their product.

I think that it would be a lot simpler and cheaper in the long run to copper plate it and then plate the copper with silver or gold. Graphite is not easy for lay people to plate.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida

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It is straightforward to coat graphite with Al by PVD techniques. Sometime back I coated a number of long graphite electrodes with Al by cathodic arc technique,

H.R. Prabhakara - Consultant
Bangalore Plasmatek - Bangalore Karnataka India
January 13, 2011