DustinGebhardt

Topic: barrel plating nickel without nickel anodes

Due to a contract that locks me into paying over $12/lb for nickel R crowns for the next 12 months, my boss has asked me to consider using only liquid nickel salts in my barrel plating baths.  Initially I told him no, but then he asked why.  Ummm . . .er . . .I'm not sure.


So, I'll ask the group:  Is it possible to run a barrel plating process without nickel metal anodes?  We run both bright and semi-bright baths.  What would the anodes be made of?  Any complications from the sulfate going very high?  What else am I missing?

-Dustin Gebhardt,
CEF
Plating Engineer
Danaher Tool Group
Gastonia, NC

Ira Donovan

Re: barrel plating nickel without nickel anodes

Dustin,

You can readily get liquid or powder nickel salts from a number of vendors.  I have never had a problem with sulfates getting too high.  You can use graphite anodes in napped poly bags.  I did notice a small difference in current transfer efficiciency with the graphite anodes.

Ira

Ira Donovan's Website

DustinGebhardt

Re: barrel plating nickel without nickel anodes

We already have a supplier (Palm via Atotech) for liquid nickel salts.  Increasing the order quantity shouldn't be a problem.  Should I see any impact on quality?  Productivity?  If I have to take a hit on current throughput with the graphite anodes, I may have to reduce my barrel loads and/or plate longer in the bath.  Either of these cause me headaches.

-Dustin Gebhardt,
CEF
Plating Engineer
Danaher Tool Group
Gastonia, NC