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Check chemical composition of electroforming bath

I would like to know if there are any labs or perhaps ways I could do this myself) of checking the chemical composition of my electroforming bath. In the past I have used a lab that now charges $75.00 for this service so I would like to find a less expensive alternative.

Ann Citron
Artist using copper electroforming - Alexandria, Virginia, USA
June 10, 2011

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Hi, Ann.

One subject that you might want to look into is "Hull Cell" testing because, while you might be able to do chemical titrations, temperature, pH and specific gravity checks yourself, you would still be looking at other tests for organic components that you can't do without very expensive instrumentation. Hull Cell testing is a way of testing the capability of your plating solutions rather than analyzing them, along the lines of: "If it isn't bright at high current density, the problem is probably ...", and "if there are dark stains at low current density, it may be ...". What you then do is try, in the little Hull Cell, what the literature and experience suggest will "probably" correct the problem. If it does, you then proportionally scale up the addition to fix yourforming tank. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 15, 2011

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Electroforming is far more complicated than titration. I see no reason why you couldn't do it yourself. You just have to get the right lab equipment and chemical reactives. If you already have a hauler or specialized company that takes care of your haz mats talk to them about titration residues. A quick net search will render many sites where they give step-by-step instructions for many metals and other bath constituents. Good luck,
G. Marrufo-Monterrey, Mexico

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
June 18, 2011

How about a local college with a chemistry department? They may be looking for samples to run for projects with unknown variables.

Jim Schwartzmyer
- North Tonawanda, New York
June 22, 2011