The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
  

  -----

Metal Coating/Plating Techniques (Carbon/Graphite)

1998

Hello

I am looking into different methods for placing a conductive layer on various metals (including stainless/aluminum etc..) for fuel cell applications. Carbon is a good choice as it will not release ions that may clog the fuel cell. Do you know any contact that I might talk to?

I am trying to find generals methods, traditional and non for placing a conductive layer on a metal. More specifically the layer needs to be conductive, more inert than stainless and of course low cost if possible. It should also be Fuel Cell friendly (not give off ions that will clog the cells membrane).

Thank you

Douglas Bryan- Institute for Integrated Energy Systems
Victoria, BC, Canada

---

1998

page 422 of Keenan and Wood, General College Chemistry, 1971 says that one of the suggestions for decreasing air pollution in cities is ..... the lithium-chlorine fuel cell.
Is this what you are working on (if so, it's about time, we're choking down here):


We will need more information from you to find out what and where finishing can help you in building a fuel cell.

Regards,

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania

Tom, your Lithium-Chlorine fuel cell doesn't look environmentally very friendly! Both ingredients are deadly. With this, you will choke even more.

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
1998

---

Douglas,

There are a number of ways to deposit carbon. One of the easiest and cheapest is the vacuum pyrolysis of an organic such as furfuraine.

Donald M. Mattox
Society of Vacuum Coaters
Albuquerque, New Mexico 1998

---

Douglas, it is relatively easy and low cost to deposit carbon in diamond-like-carbon (DLC) form as long as it can be below one micron thickness. It is highly conductive as well as hard. At higher thickness, it starts breaking or cracking due to internal stresses. Then you may have to use more expensive methods. Let me know if this will work for you. Now the adhesion may depend on the type of substrate.

Have you looked at conductive carbon pastes?

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
1998

Electroplate, electroless or magnetron Pt, or thermochem. RuO2 on Ti. Check Platinum Metals Review.

Alex Kozlov
- New Jersey
1998

---

1999

We wish to coat Graphite to 5%Cr+Steel molds.

Can someone guide us for easy and lasting coating Process?

Regards

Noman Rais
- Gem De Orient

Noman, what is the purpose of the graphite coating and what maximum thickness is tolerated? Graphite is relatively soft with poor adhesion and may not hold in a molding operation. There are other carbon coatings I could suggest.

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
1999

---

1999

Doug, et al:

Couldn't the question be turned around. That is, why not electroplate a graphite electrode? Any thoughts.

Kenth

Kenth Pedersen
aerospace technologies