Searching talk seems to be an inconclusive no, so I figured I’d ask.
I have some small steel parts I’d like to nickel (or zinc) electroplate. It seems doing this might be possible if I bring in my own plating bath and use a DMS power supply? In the science area?
I’ve messed with it at home but had mediocre results, and I’m not sure if the bath or the cheap 5v power supply I used is the culprit.
It seemed like coming into a science meeting might be helpful as well? Thanks for any help.
We (not I but others)have done this before in Science.
Both Walter & David I believe were involved. Since they both have now passed away (RIP), it makes it harder to ask them questions. They did have input on multiple threads on the subject. I don’t recall all the input they gave though.
I’ve done this at home.
When last I asked about doing this at DMS, we are waiting on science getting their fume hood up.
Cleanliness and current control are critical. Too much current and you get really uneven plating. You need to clean, de-rust and degrease. I used the vapor-hone, baked the parts, cleaned with industrial degreaser (Zep Purple) and then with acetone just before plating and got OK results. I was doing spot plating for electrical contacts.
I need to look, I may have a power supply I can loan you.
I am not empowered to grant permission so someone else will have to address that. There are fume and effluent issues to address.
WRT the zinc plating, please identify the specific solution you intend. Most zinc plating is either zinc cyanide or zinc chromate, both of which emit toxic fumes.
Having previously worked in an electroplating lab, I can tell you that your power supply is probably not the problem.
Causes of poor plating results:
#1: Poor surface finish of the part
#2: Improper or inadequate chemical cleaning/pretreat
#3: Contaminated or imbalanced bath
Your part needs a pristine jewelry-caliber finish on it. Plating does nothing to fill in even the smallest of surface irregularities. Then it needs to be meticulously cleaned/prepped with whatever chemicals are required for your specific base material and plating solution (or electrocleaned). These two prerequisites are the place where most plating runs into trouble.
EDIT: I should correct myself about the power supply. IDK if 5V is the correct voltage for your bath. If 5V is correct, then the power supply is likely not the issue. Unfortunately, either a lot of trial and error or a hull cell test is required to know for sure.
EDIT2: If you decide to plate nickel, plating copper first will give you a significantly better nickel finish.
I’m relatively new to science/DMS (been here about a month) but my current interest is in electroless metal plating and have also had experience in this area at a previous job. The hood was just approved last Wed by the board and it looks like an 8-12 week lead time for the contractors to get that in. There are a lot of things we want to do in the hood including metal plating so we are keen to get that operational by the end of the year. Hopefully there are no delays but you never know working with contractors.
True, but I also understand that the only reliable copper plating on steel requires a cyanide based chemistry. I tried an acid based approach and the plating looked great but did not adhere. It just slufffed off.
We’re working on an electroplating class in Science but obviously we can’t do anything with cyanide.
Talk to @Jonharbin or @frondog_s
Yes I’m still planning a class on electroplating; tentative goal is November 27th assuming all works out with the science sig and DMS board.
No cyanide will be used