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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Not adherent copper film in welding wire
Q. For submerged welding arc is not possible for us to achieve the appropriate coppered surface. We use liquid detergent to degrease the wire and after we submerge the coils in CuSO4 acid solution. The coating is not adherent and is not completely red, let's say orange. How could we improve this result?
Nestor RivasALFACERO HUAL CA. - Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela
2003
A. I am not familiar with the manufacture of welding wire. Obviously, an immersion copper finish on poorly cleaned steel is going to exhibit the poor adhesion that you complain of; but immersion copper plating may be the standard for this material, I don't know. On the other hand, your entire approach may be totally hopeless if you are looking for the bright, fine-grained, finish associated with electroplating.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003
Q. We are experiencing copper plating problems that we expect is due to the quality of our towns water. At this time of year we find high elements such as silica and manganese. Could these elements interfere with the copper plating process?
Steven LeaImprochem - Johannesburg, South Africa
2005
A. The coppering of welding wire never is bright. You get it bright after a skimming drawing pass made as a last step before the coiling at commercial diameters.
Other problems mentioned are improper rinsing, hence improper pH.
- Martinez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
August 4, 2013
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