The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

How to test "air contamination"

2003

Hello,

My company is producing faucets, and I am working at electroplating the parts. Substrate is copper alloy and we do typical Ni-Cr plating. From time to time we have problem with pitting on the deposits. I have read relating inquiries on this site. And finally I decide to find what is the major source of pitting. I want to test air which are used in agitation. Is there any test method to define degree of air contamination?

Thanks!

Sang-taek lim
- Kim-po, Kyung-gi do, KOREA

---

2003

Sang,

Don't waste your time looking at the air. Pits come with parts - check the substrate. It is either a pit in the surface or a deposit that is removed in the cleaning process, leaving a hole. Remove parts following the process rinse station immediately ahead of plating using a 30X magnifier. I'll bet you will find the pits there.

Paul Morkovsky
- Shiner, Texas, USA