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

Electroplating silver onto copper

March 2, 2008

I wish to coat copper in a layer of silver for work purposes.
At the current time I am using a cyanide based solution to wipe the copper bars with allowing it to completely cover the copper bar then shaking dry and dipping it into a 'wipe on silver' solution. this is time consuming I was wondering if electroplating could fasten up the process. realize that I will need a current source but am wondering what voltage to use and what chemicals I need to immerse the cathode, copper bar in. I also am wondering what I need for the anode.
if you can help I would appreciate it very much. Thank you

Kyle Shanahan
student - Newcastle

You normally will use a nickel coat over the copper to prevent copper ions from migrating in/thru the silver layer and discoloring it. Then you need to have a silver strike solution to get good adhesion and then coat that with the final silver layer.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
March 4, 2008