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How to properly activate white bronze plating?

October 23, 2019

Q. Dear All,

I'm plating white bronze as an underlayer for gold plating.

White bronze composition is ~ 55% Cu / 30% Sn / 15% Zn.

Sometimes, I have bad bonding between white bronze and gold, probably due to some variations of the composition of white bronze and too high content of tin.

I'm used to activating white bronze with NaHSO4 (60 g/L) with some fluoride.

What would be the best activator for white bronze alloy?

Best regards.

David

David Icardo
- Italy

A. Use the sodium bisulphate (or 5% sulfuric acid) without the fluoride. You do not need a fluoride with that alloy, and be sure to use a gold strike.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services

Garner, North Carolina

October 24, 2019

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