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Cadmium-free brightener for EN

We are using cadmium as a brightener in our electroless nickel plating bath. Now we have to eliminate cadmium in order to conforms to RoHS directives. Can someone suggest an cadmium-free alternative we can use?

Donald Tong
plating shop - HuiZhou, Canton, China
2004

Don,

I am researching alternative methods for Cadmium plating in the Aircraft Industry, for a Master's degree. My research has taken me to look at a new method, namely IVD Aluminum process. Check out Ipsen furnaces on the net, for this alternative. Its a deposition method, of a more user friendly chemical. Although you inquired about the finish! there is paint finishes & coatings that may help you.

Best of luck,

Joe Davies
Master's dissertation - Cardiff Wales, UK
2004

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2004

Ivadizing has been available as a substitute for cadmium plating of aircraft hardware for over 25 years now, Joe, so it is actually very well established, rather than new. McDonnell Douglas owned it at one time, and a couple of other companies owned it before that. Perhaps it's best feature is that, because the coating is aluminum, it is galvanically compatible with aluminum airframes like cadmium is and many other potentials substitutes aren't. There is no single substitute for all cadmium plating applications but, taken together, there is hopefully a substitute for each.

Ivadizing doesn't seem to have much to do with cadmium brighteners in electroless nickel though. Good luck with your thesis!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Dear Donald,

Cd free EN is available from most plating chemistry suppliers. Check with your current supplier. If they don't have Cd free available, then ask around the other suppliers.

Regards,

Jonathan Timms
- Hong Kong
2004