Method for conducting electroless metal-plating processes

Patent · Tue Nov 14 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6382669

Petit, G S; Wright, R R

An improved method for conducting electroless metal-plating processes in a metal tank which is exposed to the plating bath is described. A problem commonly encountered in such processes: how to determine when it is advisable to shutdown the process in order to clean and/or re-passivate the tank is solved. The new method comprises contacting the bath with a current-conducting, non-catalytic probe and, during plating operations, monitoring the gradually changing difference in electropotential between the probe and tank. It has been found that the value of this voltage is indicative of the extent to which nickel-bearing decomposition products accumulate on the tank. By utilizing the voltage to determine when shutdown for cleaning is advisable, the operator can avoid premature shutdown and at the same time avoid prolonging operations to the point that spontaneous decomposition occurs.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4125642
• OSTI ID: 6382669
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 25 Aug 1977; Other Information: PAT-APPL-827,658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CHROMIUM
PLATING
COBALT
IRIDIUM
IRON
NICKEL
DESIGN
SURFACE COATING
NICKE
OSMIUM
PALLADIUM
PLATINUM
RHODIUM
RUTHENIUM
TANKS
CONTAINERS
EQUIPMENT
METALS
PROBES
STAINLESS STEELS
ALLOYS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
DEPOSITION
ELEMENTS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
PLATINUM METALS
REFRACTORY METALS
STEELS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication