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Formulas for nickel plating solution

 

I am plating nickel over the top of a copper plate on lead. I saw the writings on the solution of nickel for the person in Australia, and was comparing it to some solutions I have found else where! Before I begin buying supplies I wanted to consult you on some of these formulas. they are as follows:

bath  NiCI2    NiS04     H3B04     pH        Temp F

 x 6h20   x 6H20
 
1     6 oz gal 32 oz gal 4 oz gal  4.5-5.5   115-120



2     6        44        5         1.5-4.5   115-140



3    23        26        5         1.5       115



4     3        24        4         5.6-5.9   110-140

How will these work (especially 1, 2, & 4)?

Robert A. Brown
THE R & B CO - EUGENE, Oregon

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There is no good way to critique the alternates if you don't say where you got them, but formula 2 sounds closest to a standard Watts bath.

But suppose you buy the nickel sulphamate, nickel chloride, and boric acid--what are you going to do about anodes, wetter, brightener, and carrier? The way to do nickel plating is usually to buy the process from a proprietary supplier, not try to make it up yourself. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey