Hi Rudy: The reason your plating looks trashy is because you have the
rectifier hooked-up backwards. The part to be plated is the cathode which is
"-" negative. The anode, in this case the stainless steel is "+" positive.
:>)
You can also try a couple of pinches cherry Jello as an additive.

                                                                Regards


Michael Barmuta

Staff Engineer

Fluke Corp.

Everett WA

425-446-6076

-----Original Message-----
From: Rudy Sedlak [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 2:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Fun with electroplating


Greg:

Do you have a source of Cobalt salts?

If not, get a Cobalt salt that is "non-reactive"  I would suggest Cobalt
Sulfate?  Or Nitrate...not Chloride....

Make up a solution of the Cobalt salt...add some acid, I prefer Methane
sulfonic acid(because the methane sulfonate anion is almost an "invisible
anion,
and does not interfere with anything)...say 10% acid...

Drop in your work...if you are not going to do much plating, you can
probably
get by with an insoluble anode...say stainless steel, 300 series.

Connect up your rectifier...the work is connected to the + side...
turn on the current, and you will get really trashy looking plating...

As you need a plating brightener...to give you nice level deposits.

I could make a good guess as to what would help a lot...but, it would be a
guess, if an experienced one.  Actually, here is the fun part...

You may have heard of a chemical called "Nonoxynol 9"?  It is the spermacide
of choice today, and sold in your friendly local pharmacy.  Turns out this
is
EXACTLY the item of choice for a good general purpose plating brightener..
and
is often the only component in some tin plating brighteners.

Any other questions you have?

Rudy Sedlak
RD Chemical Company

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