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E-less Nickel Reducer Problem

I am a chemical lab technician and have ran into several problems with keeping the reducing agent (sodium hypophosphate) from rising too high out of specification for my bath parameters, while I do realize that it will rise naturally, it seems to go out of spec. much sooner than it should, doing a decant to decrease the concentration, however looses vital stabilizers in the bath and ultimately we end up dumping the bath and starting new,,,please advise!

Jason A. Brown
Chemical Laboratory Technician II - Athens, Pennsylvania, USA
2005

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First of three simultaneous responses -- 2005

You really need to talk to your chemical supplier to work out a viable replenishment scheme. However, also realize that the supplier benefits by increased chemical consumption. Therefore, use data from the past to determine reducer consumption per mil square foot plated (and other chemicals also)to determine what is needed in your operation. The supplier's input is needed to know the impact of a revised replenishment scheme on byproduct and additives which are not analyzed (stabilizer, etc.).

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida

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Second of three simultaneous responses -- 2005

Hi Jason,

In a high loading baths, Reducer increases at 10 to 20% maximum as the bath ages which is acceptable.

Your supplier should help you out in this. There are many ways to control reducer one thing is we skip reducer additions and replace it with make up for every other two additions. (as make up has less reducer than replenisher).

Sridhar Bushigampala
- Toronto, ON, Canada

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Third of three simultaneous responses -- 2005

It rises naturally?
The hypophosphite should be consumed with the reduction of nickel ions to nickel metal!
the only way I can see it rising is by adding it.

Peter Van de Luecht
- Melbourne,Vic, Australia

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I agree with Peter. Concentration should decrease and not increase!
I assume that you have a problem with your analysis procedure or reagents.
Did you check a new solution and find the correct concentration?

Sara Michaeli
Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
2005