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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Electroless deposition of silver

Does anyone have experience with electroless deposition of silver at high pH, especially for inhibition formation of explosive compounds?

Dr.ir. R. Lugtenberg
- Venlo, Netherlands
2002

Hello,

I know something about electroless silver plating. To answer your question I need to know how thick the deposit must be, and on what surface you want to plate. Did you notice my adress? Ik versta dus ook Venloos haha.

Kind regards,

Ruud Kooijman
- Venlo, The Netherlands
2002

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No answer? It's not a joke.

Kind regards,

Ruud Kooijman
- Venlo, The Netherlands
2002

Dear Ruud Kooijman,

The Ag-thickness is about 40 - 100 nm. The surfaces are very diverse from metals, plastics to glass surfaces.

Yours sincerly,

Lugtenberg
- Venlo
2002

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You can use silver spraying, where ammoniacal silver nitrate is sprayed, along with a suitable buffer, from one air gun and a reducing agent, such as glucose and/or formaldehyde from another. The silver is formed in the resulting aerosol and settles on the substrate. The system is widely available from supply houses such as Jema. If the substrate is adequately activated, very good adhesion is possible. Furthermore, the deposit can be highly reflective and is within the range you require. The essential parts of getting reflective silver are that the substrate is of adequate surface finish and that you do not put down too much silver.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2002