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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Brightener for nickel electroplating

 

Q. About brightener for nickel electroplating: can I use brightener from more than one supplier for the same nickel plating bath? Also, can anyone tell me some formula of nickel brighteners?

Regards,

Khalil Usama
Universal Gas Company - Cairo, Egypt

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No, Khalil, you cannot mix brighteners because they may be very different. Additive systems for nickel generally have at least three components including a wetting agent like sodium laurel sulphate, a primary brightener like formaldehyde, and a secondary brightener like saccharin or coumarin. Although all modern formulations are proprietary secrets, you can find some generalities in the ASM Metals Handbook "Surface Engineering" volume and in the Canning Handbook. Good luck.

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

You can use the combination of the brighteners from different companies provided they do not have different base of formulations. If you need to manufacture the brighteners at your end you may contact some companies which supply the raw materials

Anil Basrani
- Maharstra, India