Summary for throwing power problem Discussion
throwing power problem? Mary Ma, an electroplater in Iran, asked whether moving from a 10-liter to a 60-liter gold, rhodium, and ruthenium plating machine would hurt throwing power because the anode-cathode distance would increase. Ted Mooney replied that she may need slightly higher voltage, but he doubted throwing power would become a problem. He explained that throwing power is about how well low-current-density areas plate compared with high-current-density areas, and said that increasing the distance from the anodes would very slightly improve the low-current-density to high-current-density relationship rather than worsen it. Mary followed up that they use typical meshed platinized titanium anodes and plate jewelry sets with no unusual shapes, which further supports Ted’s reassurance.
February 20, 2013
Q. Hi every one….
I’m an electroplater who works with a 10 liter machine for plating of gold items with Rh, Ru, Au.
We are going to buy a 60 liter machine. But I’m a little worried about throwing power in the new machine, if it will turn to a problem. Please help me. Regarding the increased distance between anode and cathode, is that factor likely to cause a problem?
Mary Ma
– Iran
A. Hi Mary. You may need slightly higher voltage, but I doubt that throwing power will become a problem. Throwing power relates to how well areas of the part that are low current density (far from the anodes) plate in comparison to areas of the part that are close to the anodes. If you were not using specially shaped auxiliary anodes, moving the items further from the anodes will very slightly improve the LCD to HCD relationship, rather than aggravate it.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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February 21 , 2013
Hi Ted, Many Thanks to your response,O.K. I’m now more confident about this phenomena.
We are using typical meshed platinized titanium anodes and we electroplate jewelry sets. I don’t think that they have extra-ordinary shapes. :)
Mary Ma
– Iran