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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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Patchy electroplating of palladium
Q. In the electroplating world is it possible that one metal plates on another metal in patches? We plate Palladium on Nickel and I was wondering if it were possible that for some reason the Palladium would not cover the Nickel layer uniformly?
Nishath YasmeenProcess engineer - Houston, Texas
2004
A. Hi Nishath. The plating thickness at any point is proportional to the current at that point. And the current is a function of the geometry, being concentrated at outside corners, edges, and convex (with respect to the anode) surfaces, and reduced in the center of expanses, and on inside corners and concave surfaces. So varying thickness is the natural state of affairs rather than an anomoly, and you may need to work to solve it.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004
A. In addition to Ted's comments, make sure your pretreatment is adequate.
James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
2003
June 2013
Good point, James. In fact, considering that Nishath used the word "patchy", your answer is probably more apt than mine.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Can you advise what can cause Pd thickness non-uniformity within the same area of plated metal? My target thickness is at 0.3um. In the same plated metal I would see a difference in brightness of metal the darker is at 0.3 µm and the brighter is at 0.6 um
Jeff Solas- Philippines
June 12, 2013
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