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

Electroplating of steel using yellow copper

I want some information about electroplating on steel using yellow copper. All possible data are required. Looking forward for your response on your earliest.thank you for your time.

Adel Sadoon
adel - Cairo
2005

---

I'm not sure what you mean by "yellow" copper, Adel. Copper plating is covered in detail in the Metal Finishing Guidebook, and in the other plating texts listed on our "must-have" book list. It is ironic that inquirers who ask for the most, i.e., "all possible data", usually provide the least, i.e., posting an inquiry of less than 30 words and utterly devoid of any context. Please take the time to describe your situation and you will probably get useful assistance.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

---

I assume that Adel is looking for cyanide copper (yellow) as opposite to Acidic copper (blue copper).
There is no other alternative as you cannot plate acidic copper on steel, only cyanide (I know, there is also pyrophohpate but I am sure he is not looking for it).
I agree with Ted that the right answer to this question must be - start reading.

Sara Michaeli
Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
2005

---

2005

Mr Adel Sadoon.

A yellow finish comes from either Brass which is an alloy of Copper and Zinc.

Or it comes with Gold.

Now if you want a Yellow colored copper , that may not exactly be possible.

However please check out the following copper finishes.

Cyanide copper. This is plated from a Cyanide bath and is light PINK in color. Tarnishes easily. Can be plated on steel.

Acid Copper: This is a more Robust PINK shade. It cannot be plated direct on steel and requires a copper or a Nickel strike to fully cover the steel before Acid copper is applied. Tarnishes easily , is bright and covers imperfections in surface finish.

All copper or brass finishes need a protective topcoat, usually a lacquer to prevent oxidation.

Hope this answers your question.
Regards

Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016