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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Plating fused silica fiber

I am trying to EN plate a fused silica fiber. I'm not having much luck. I have plated several other types of glass, but the fused silica is giving me a problem. Any Ideas?

Thanks

Randy Miler
- Caldwell, Idaho
2005

What are you doing now and what have you done with those other types of glass you said that worked?

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2005

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Since ething fused silica in fluoroide solutions may result in a smooth surface instead of a roughened surface, mechanical roughening may be required. Fused silica should take catalysts. I have had success using separate sensitizilng ( stannous chloride 10 g/L with about 20 ml/L HCl, rinse and palladium chloride about 0.1 g/l, and 10 g/L HCl, rinse and 3% HCl dip, rinse and EN plate)

Don Baudrand
Consultant - Poulsbo, Washington
(Don is co-author of "Plating on Plastics" [on Amazon or AbeBooks affil links]
           and "Plating ABS Plastics" [on Amazon or eBay or AbeBooks affil links])
2005