Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Plating on wax - hollow forming
Q. I am Pradeep, based at Mumbai, India.
I am doing plating on jobwork basis, just now one of my customer has enquired me to produce hollow electroformed metallic gift articles of silver (purity 99.5%). I really don't have any idea. Can anybody guide me regarding the process?
plating shop owner - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
January 16, 2011
March 30, 2011
A. Dear Sir
First you should choose the wax: casting wax grade [for lost wax casting is okay].
Then degreasing it in alkaline solution [caustic soda ⇦liquid caustic soda in bulk on
Amazon [affil link]
with s. phosphate].
Rinse
Activate in palladium / tin solution
Rinse
Electroless copper if silver content is not critical or Electroless silver
Rinse
Silver electroplating.
OR
Use silver paint direct on wax, it is conductive.
You can go directly for electroplating, but this method not for very fine details.
Some items need heat treatment to reform its crystal to not to be brittle
Best regards
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
A. If you do not have an idea it will be a "long and winding road" (as goes the song).
Electroforming is theoretically similar to electroplating but it has its own specific procedures and problems. Also different fixtures, auxiliary materials and frequently different bath chemistries. You should consider studying the process before getting into it (books, magazines, web articles, etc.).
G. Marrufo-Mexico
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
March 30, 2011
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