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Aluminum electroplating on steel

I having a final year project in my school and in my project I would like to use aluminum coat on steel by electroplating.But I have no idea what electrolyte I should use in my experiment. So far what I know is only ionic liquid can have a good plating. Is there any other electrolyte can be use for electroplating?

Ng Kok Jun
Student - Malaysia
June 10, 2011

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The only process I know of is a proprietary patented process from Alumiplate. They plate aluminum from an organic solvent bath. If you don't do it correctly there is certainly potential for an explosion. I personally think that you would be better off picking a different project.

Jon Barrows, MSF, EHSSC
GOAD Company

Independence, Missouri

June 10, 2011

You cannot electroplate aluminum from an aqueous solution. There is a company in the US who does aluminum electroplating using a proprietary solvent solution in an inert atmosphere. I have a hunch that this would be too expensive for your project; I'd try to replace the aluminum with something else.

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
June 13, 2011

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