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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Copper plating problem: burning on the ends of steel tubes
Q. Burning/blistering prob. with copper plating on steel tube. Nine (9) pieces of 72" x 1" x .090 wall, welded seam. Took these tubes to a local (hi tech) shop to be copper plated. He's having problems with "blistering and burning on the ends". This is not his normal job for him but I thought I might be able to pass info. on to him from others that have 'been there and done that'. It's MY dollars he's playing with :)
Any thoughts or suggestions on voltage, current, or whatever will be appreciated.
Ford Duggins- California
A. Hi, Ford.
I would be dumbfounded if you were able to find a plater would not know this, but it sounds like he needs shorter anodes, or shields, to limit the current density on the ends of the tubes.
But there may be more to it than that because, as implied, every plater in the world knows that :-)
Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. A little more information is needed to answer your question. To plate copper on steel you would need either a cyanide copper strike or nickel strike on the steel before you try to plate copper on steel. The other problem you will have is iron contamination in your acid copper solution. Because the acid copper will dissolve the iron from inside the tubes.
George Shahin
Atotech - Rock Hill, South Carolina
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