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Care and Maintenance of Electroplating Baths

photograph with eletroplating tank

It is of great importance to keep baths in a condition of good repair and efficiency. Good maintenance of electroplating baths is done to ensure that the process is running at its optimum at all time. This prevents expensive rejects and expensive down times.

What do I need to do to maintain my solution on a daily basis?

  • Check the Ph of the solution 2x daily
  • Check the temperature of the solution 2x daily
  • Check the specific gravity: if there is no laboratory, this will give an indication of the level of the basic chemistry o fthe solution
  • Ensure the working level of the solution is maintained

What are the basic test methods? 

PH tests

These are simple checks on the line by using pH papers of the correct range (3.9-5.0), this will suffice to keep the solution in check.

Small portable PH meter can be used providing that the meter is calibrated regularly with the correct buffer solutions.

*The PH meter will give a more accurate reading than the Ph paper, but the Ph does not have to be accurate to 2 decimal places.

Specific Gravity or density

This test provides a quick guide to the concentration of the metal salts and is accurate for solutions that only have one source of metal (such as chromic acid)

This test method is less reliable if the solution has several chemicals present, but it will be alarming if there is an unexplained sudden change in the S.G.

Chemical Analysis

Full chemical analysis can be carried out in house if the laboratory facilities are available. Otherwise, a sample will have to be sent to a solution supplier.

Basic analysis of the organics- when taking a sample for analysis, please ensure that the bath is at the correct working level as this will have an impact upon the results.

  • Small sale plating tests: these can be carried out by the company to help evaluate the performance and behavior of the solution. -this will provide data that is not provided by other analytical methods.
  • Other analytical methods may suggest that all is well with the solution when you are seeing impurities.

How do Solutions get out of control?

Cathode efficiency is less than anode efficiency

  • If the anode efficiency is 100% and the cathode efficiency is 90% then the metal content of the bath will rise.
  • If the cathode efficiency is 100% but the anode efficiency is less, then the metal content and density will fall.

Inorganics

  • Leaking tanks and pumps can be a source of problem that goes over looked
  • More water gets added as top up and the solution becomes more dilute
  • It is important to check tanks and pumps for leaks from time to time

Where can contamination come from?

  • Parts falling off jigs
  • If using air agitation is oil getting from the air pump?
  • Is the anode material of good quality?
  • ALWAYS use Deionized water- using hard water for topping up lead to calcium build up
  • Breakdown products from organic materials
  • Pretreatment
  • Pretreatment solutions not maintained correctly- leading to incomplete cleaning of the workpiece
  • Pretreatment carried over into plating solutions
  • Poor rinsing
  •  Insufficient rinsing due to low volume exchange of water
  • Carry over of poor quality of rinse water into plating solution
  • Drag in of rinse water entrapped in blind holes

If there is excessive contamination, total solution purification may be required

  • Electrolytic
  • Precipitation
  • Ion exchange
  • Oxidation/reduction
  • Filtration

The secret of a successful operation is to add: “Little & Often”- this allows for less variation in solution parameters

  • It is important to maintain records and all analytical data
  • When making basic chemical additions they should be made off line and added via filtration
  • Always look at the instructions supplied and container label
  • Check contacts on tank for corrosion or connection sound

 

Auction
Demineralisation Plant More Images Available

Jacquet Weston Engineering Packaged Demineralisation Water Treatment Plant

Manually operated, the de-mineralisation unit produces up to 200 l/h when connected to a 1,000 litre holding tank. At the estimated hourly production of 45 l/h demineralised water the unit will need regenerating every 75-80 hours.

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