When looking at the chemistry of the Modern Nickel Plating solution, you have to go back to the early 1900’s; 1916, to be more precise. Watts began plating nickel with nickel sulfate, nickel chloride and boric acid. These components are the basis of all modern bright, semi-bright, microporous and high-sulfur formulations used today. While the combination is always the same, the amounts differ some by bath type and manufacture. To compare the original formulation to the bright nickel levels, here are the typical levels: 1916 2013 Range Nickel … [Read more...]
October 1, 2013 By
Choosing the Right Bright Nickel Process
Bright Nickel plating has been used in nearly every area of manufacturing. Whether it is plumbing, automotive, food service, military, machine and equipment components, or fasteners bright nickel provides an aesthetic finish with good corrosion resistance. Bright nickel electroplating processes may be in coil / sheet lines, reel to reel, barrel or rack processes. For this discussion we will consider the rack and barrel processes. Bright nickel typically serves as a bright finish to provide a cosmetically pleasing finish over steel, brass, or copper. Usually it is a decorative under layer … [Read more...]
September 19, 2013 By
Functional Zinc Processes
Zinc is one of the most widely used functional sacrificial coatings to inhibit corrosion of ferrous metals. Over the years a variety of Zinc plating and post treatment chemistries (chromates –hexavalent and trivalent-- and seals) have been developed to improve the aesthetics and functionality of zinc coatings. Over the years there have been three types of zinc processes: Cyanide based chemistry – seldom used today because of safety issues, waste treatment and disposal cost—but still it is needed in some applications. These processes were very forgiving and easy to control. Environmental … [Read more...]
September 10, 2013 By
Trivalent Chromates 101
To coat metal parts, chromates are used to enhance the life of the part. Typically, chromates are used on zinc plated parts whether it be alkaline non-cyanide or chloride applications. These trivalent chromate conversion coatings offer prolonged corrosion protection to finished parts. In the past, hexavalent chromates were predominantly used throughout the metal finishing industry. Today, to meet RoHS compliances and environmental safety standards, the metal finishing industry has moved in the direction of trivalent chromates. Trivalent conversion coatings have shown to produce a scratch … [Read more...]
June 17, 2013 By
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
Aligning with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the original Hazard Communication Standard to provide an information system on hazardous chemicals that are used in the workplace. The purpose was to give workers that are exposed to chemicals the “right to know”. By aligning with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), OSHA now states that workers have the “right to understand”. … [Read more...]
March 20, 2013 By
Use Potassium Permangante to Remove Contaminents in Bright Nickel Plating Solution
Unwanted organic contamination is a common problem when using bright nickel plating solutions. To remove contaminants both from outside sources and from brightner breakdown Oxidation treatments are routinely needed. Using potassium permanganate to oxidize and breakdown the organic contaminants so they can be more easily removed on a carbon pack-on filter is a common solution. Permanganate is a popular choice because it is a much stronger oxidizing agent than hydrogen peroxide and will will remove the more stubborn organic materials. Unfortunately overuse of the permanganate will cause … [Read more...]