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Suitable substitute for copper cyanide strike plating on aluminum?

Does this Alkaline copper solution look like it could potentially be used as a copper cyanide strike plate substitute for plating on aluminum. The patent has brass, zinc, and steel listed, but does not specify whether it would work on aluminum. Here is the website address http://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?query_txt=5750018&sort=relevance&srch=top&search=

Thanks,

George Lengen
CNC machine shop - Clinton, Ohio
September 17, 2010

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Hi, George. When plating onto aluminum, you first immersion plate zinc from a zincate bath, so if the process properly plates onto zinc without excessive etching, maybe it will work. Per your reference, it was patented 12 years ago by a major supplier to the industry, so presumably they can advise how it does on aluminum. There are other possibilities like copper pyrophoshate solutions which are available from a number of suppliers.

But if there is no particular reason that you can't alkaline electroless nickel strike, that might be the best approach. Plating onto aluminum is tricky because of the zincate step, but I think most people feel electroess nickel is a more reliable starting point than non-cyanide coppers.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 17, 2010