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Plating Tank - What kind of material can it be?

So, I have a project I'm working on, plating Copper to an Aluminum panel - there's already a question on the DIY nature of that here, so I won't bore you with that. However, I do have another question that's rather important, as it would determine my costs.

I've noticed online that there are a lot of polyethylene plastic tanks used for immersion - they're non volatile, and can withstand acidic solutions with no problem. I was wondering if either a glass or stainless steel tank would be just as useful for a slightly acidic solution. If not, what's the likely negative outcome from using a metal and/or glass immersion tank for electroplating?

Joe Tynan
Hobbyist - Seattle, Washington, USA
March 12, 2009

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March 15, 2009

Hi, Joe. Although there are several different types of copper plating solution and they are very different from each other, a steel tank is inappropriate for any of them. Glass should be okay except in the unlikely event that you are using fluoborate-based copper plating solution; but glass can break, causing a pollution incident and a possible safety issue. Polyethylene is probably okay, but a fire hazard if you put an electric heater in it.

Regards,

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

Thank you for the response! Fortunately, I do not plan on having a heater inside the bin.

Joe Tynan
- Seattle, Washington, USA
March 27, 2009

It is safe to use a heater in a plastic tank if the heater is derated and has low level conductivity and thermal safety switches built into them. I would not say that this is totally true for quartz heaters, as I watched one blow the top off and melt the top lip of a poly tank. The thermal safety device was still in the solution.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
March 30, 2009

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Plating aluminium is not easy and needs a zincate treatment. This contains cyanide, so I would be very careful in doing it and make sure that you don't dump any of the zincate down the drain - you could end up in court

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
April 2, 2009