The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
  

  -----

Change plating zinc cyanide into acid

I have an alkaline zinc plating plating bath. It contains zinc oxide ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and NaCn. Now I want to change the alkaline plating into acid zinc plating solution because it's very dangerous. Can anybody help me about my problem? And I hope you give me formulas/recipes/solutions about acid zinc plating.

thanks a lot.

Yuono
- Indonesia
2004

A. Yuono

Please find a supplier who will sell you a zinc chloride or a Non cyanide alkaline cyanide free bath. The zinc Chloride bath is acidic and has good speed for barrel plating. The alkline cyanide free bath has good throw and uniform thickness in the recesses.

Both systems are available in Jakarta. Both need very good cleaning and pretreatment.

Good luck.

Asif Nurie [deceased] [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep sadness we acknowledge the passing of Asif on Jan 24, 2016

Dear Youno,

You are an inspiration to us all! May your tribe increase! Regards

Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Attached is my response to question 28609.

Cyanide has been used since the early days of electroplating. Its primary function is to control the concentration (activity) of metal ions. This is essential to control the rate of ionic discharge and hence the quality of the deposit. Sodium hydroxide is present in cyanide processes to maintain alkaline conditions and prevent release of hydrogen cyanide. For a comprehensive discussion I suggest you contact the institute of Metal finishing www.ukfinishing@dialpipex.com . I recently published a paper 'Cyanide in Metal Finishing, Risks and Alternatives' in Transactions which should answer some of your environmental concern don't rush to change from a well well established process with some hazards to a new one until you have investigated ALL the unknowns of the new one.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England