Watts Nickel Bath: Basis for Modern Nickel Plating

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...]

Rack or Barrel Electroplating?

Electroplating may be defined as a deposition process where a thin coating of metal is deposited on a surface by passing an electric current through a solution in which the plated part acts as the cathode. The anode is often composed of the metal being deposited. The solution, or plating bath, contains dissolved salts of the metals being deposited. There are two basic types of deposition methods commonly used for electroplating, rack or barrel, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Both are dependent on the parts (being plated) seeing a DC current while in contact with the … [Read more...]

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...]

Prosclean Phos Strip L

PHOS STRIP L is an alkaline liquid product used to remove heavy zinc phosphate coatings from ferrous substrates. PHOS STRIP L contains a surfactant package that will generate a foam blanket during the stripping process to keep fumes and mist escaping from the process tank to a minimum. Due to the high alkalinity content of PHOS STRIP L, it can also be used for alkaline pickling of steel to remove rust and scale avoiding the use of corrosive liquid acids. … [Read more...]

Technibrite SN 200

TECHNIBRITE SN 200 is an easy to use bright acid tin process that produces exceptional brightness and leveling from a standard sulfate acid tin electrolyte while maintaining exceptional solderability. After the initial make up of the plating solution using TECHNIBRITE SN 200 MU and SN 200 MT, the deposit quality is maintained with TECHNIBRITE SN 200 MT additive. This maintenance additive can be constantly metered into the plating solution using an ampere hour brightener feeder. The TECHNIBRITE SN 200 process is unique in that the brightener system is stable upon standing. Due to the stability … [Read more...]

Techniclean N-326 L

TECHNICLEAN N-326 L is a medium alkaline liquid cleaner that can be used as a soak and/or electro cleaner for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This product is ideal for job shop applications where different metal substrates are processed though one plating line. The specially formulated surfactant package of TECHNICLEAN N-326 L provides good cleaning and free rinsing eliminating staining of the substrate. TECHNICLEAN N-326 L is an excellent cathodic activator of nickel deposits prior to chrome plating. … [Read more...]

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...]

Benchbrite NCN-370

BENCHBRITE NCN-370 process is a specially designed alkaline pyrophosphate plating bath for use over properly zincated aluminum. The BENCHBRITE NCN-370 process is an excellent alternative to cyanide copper providing a bright and level deposit. Due to the fine grain structure and low porosity, deposits from the BENCHBRITE NCN-370 process provides a good barrier level on aluminum prior to tin plating. Because this process is modified to plate directly on zincated aluminum, it should not be used to plate directly on steel or zinc die castings. … [Read more...]

Benchbrite NI-545 S

BENCHBRITE NI-545 S is an index based single additive process for bright nickel plating of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This nickel process will produce bright deposits with excellent leveling, ductility, and receptivity to hexavalent chromium plating in low current density areas. BENCHBRITE NI-545 S is a single additive process normally maintained with one addition agent and operates effectively over a wide solution composition range. This nickel process is ideal for the day to day high volume production yet you have a simple operation and control of the nickel plating … [Read more...]

Benchbrite NI-545 TM

BENCHBRITE NI-545 TM is an index based single additive process for bright nickel plating of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This nickel process will produce uniform bright deposits with exceptional leveling, ductility, and receptivity to hexavalent chromium plating in low current density areas. BENCHBRITE NI-545 TM, being a single additive process, is normally maintained with one addition agent and operates effectively over a wide solution composition range. This nickel process is ideal where high volume production is required yet have the luxury of a simple operation and control of the … [Read more...]