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Lead Content Found in Nickel Plating
Q. I am using Barrett SN and SNR-24. My customers have done tests of our plating in Asia and have found in their two tests that 4180 mg/kg and 82000 mg/kg of lead is contained in the plating. These tests were performed using IEC 62321 testing procedures. We are plating pure tungsten parts and solder with a lead free solder from Kester. We use DI water in our plating bath and I am confused as to where this lead could be coming from. Any idea or thoughts on the topic would be much appreciated
Cameron KivelaProcess Engineer - Boulder, Colorado, United States
October 23, 2012
A. Those levels are so high the hardly can they come from a purified plating solution like that. My guess is someone used the wrong solder or the lab mixed the results.
G. Marrufo - Mexico
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
First of three simultaneous responses -- October 25, 2012
A. 82000 mg/kg is a LOT of lead. I don't see where that could come from. 1/100 that amount co-deposited with the nickel would yield a black, brittle, non-adherent deposit. Before you go further, please have a sample tested by an independent USA lab.
Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Second of three simultaneous responses -- October 25, 2012
A. Check the additives (including NiCl and boric) and anodes. The fact that the plating is done in Asia makes them somewhat suspect.
James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
Third of three simultaneous responses -- October 25, 2012
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