Summary for zirconium and iridium plating Discussion
Zirconium and iridium plating of copper was discussed in the context of coating coiled copper wire for use in liquid gallium, where Keith Oxenrider said copper would dissolve and asked about zirconium, iridium, or possibly molybdenum coatings, along with rough cost. Goran Budija provided an iridium plating solution based on ammonium hexachloroiridate and sulfuric acid, with low temperature and low current density, citing a 1977 reference. He also noted that zirconium cannot be electrodeposited from an aqueous bath because it is too active, and suggested looking into fused-salt baths or PVD processes instead. The thread does not give pricing, but it does indicate that iridium plating may be possible under specific conditions, while zirconium plating by ordinary aqueous electroplating is not.
Q. Dave at artisanplating.com suggested I post here to see if I can find anyone who can help. I am looking to plate copper wire (maybe 1 mm in diameter, maybe half that) with a total length of around 200 cm, but approximately coiled so that the wire occupies a cylinder around 25 mm in diameter and 100 mm long. I think a coating thickness of half a micron is fine. I would need one with zirconium and another with iridium.
Alternatively I am also exploring using molybdenum coatings if someone can provide that as well. I will be placing this thing in liquid gallium and my research has indicated that copper will dissolve in the gallium, but molybdenum won’t (I am presuming zirconium and iridium won’t either as I am basing this off a published design).
I am looking for a basic idea of the cost at this point, I am still developing the design of the experimental apparatus and cost is a factor (and one reason why I am considering molybdenum).
Thank you for your time and attention!
Keith Oxenrider
Researcher – Silver Spring, Maryland
January 17, 2012
January 19, 2012
A. Iridium plating solution:
(NH4)2IrCl6……6-8 gms
sulfuric acid……..0,6-0,8 gms
temp.18-25°C
pH 1,4-1,7
0,1A/dm2
According to:
A.M.Yamplskij -Elektrolitieeskoe osaidenie blagorodnih I redkih metalov, Leningrad 1977.
Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia
A. Hi. Zirconium cannot be electrodeposited out of an aqueous bath because it is too active a metal. You might investigate whether there are any fused salts baths for this process, or any applicable PVD processses. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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