Method for conducting electroless metal-plating processes
- Oak Ridge, TN
This invention is an improved method for conducting electroless metal-plating processes in a metal tank which is exposed to the plating bath. The invention solves 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. 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.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4125642
- OSTI ID:
- 863222
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Method for conducting electroless metal-plating processes
Electroless plating process
Related Subjects
accumulate
advisable
avoid
bath
changing
clean
cleaning
commonly
commonly encountered
comprises
comprises contacting
conducting
conducting electroless
contacting
current-conducting
decomposition
decomposition products
determine
difference
electroless
electroless metal
electroless metal-plating
electropotential
encountered
exposed
extent
found
gradually
improved
improved method
indicative
metal
metal-plating
metal-plating processes
method
method comprise
method comprises
monitoring
nickel-bearing
non-catalytic
occurs
operations
operator
plating
plating bath
plating process
premature
probe
process
processes
products
prolonging
re-passivate
shutdown
solves
spontaneous
tank
time
utilizing
value
voltage