Electroplating

The process by which the coating metal is

deposited on the base metal by passing a d.c
through an electrolytic solution containing the
soluble salt of the coating metal.
The film (electro deposit) produced is quite
uniform, with a little or few pin-holes per unit area.
Depositing a thin layer of superior metal (or alloy)
over an inferior one by passing direct current

Objectives:
Deposits on metals
Improves resistance to corrosion and abrasion

Improve physical appearance and hardness

Change thermal properties and electrical properties

Decoration
On non metals

To increase the strength

To make the surface conductive

To decorate the surface

Characteristics of electroplating

Thickness:
Thickness of the deposit should be minimized in
order to get a strong adherent coating
Multiple coatings is given in order to make sure that
coating is completely free from pores and
discontinuity
Thin deposits are used for decorative purpose while
thick deposits are used for corrosion protection
Measured by Gauges and XRD in micrometer

0.01 100 micron

Hardness:
It is very important if the purpose of electroplating is to
improve corrosion and abrasion resistance
Measured in Brinells
Proposed by Swedish engineer Johan August Brinell in
1900, it was the first widely used and standardized hardness
test in engineering and metallurgy.
The large size of indentation and possible damage to testpiece limits its usefulness.
Ranges from (for lead) deposit 5 Brinells to (for Cr)
deposits 1,000 Brinells
The Brinell scale characterizes the indentation hardness of
materials through the scale of penetration of an indenter,
loaded on a material test-piece.

The typical test uses a 10 mm diameter steel ball as an

indenter with a 3,000 kgf (29 kN) force.
For softer materials, a smaller force is used; for harder
materials, a tungsten carbide ball is substituted for the steel
ball.
For softer materials the load can be reduced to 1500 kgf or
500 kgf to avoid excessive indentation.
The full load is normally applied for 10 to 15 seconds in the
case of iron and steel and for at least 30 seconds in the case
of other metals.
The diameter of the indentation left in the test material is
measured with a low powered microscope. The indentation
is measured and hardness calculated as:

Hardness

where: F = applied force (kgf) , D = diameter

of indenter (mm)

D1 = diameter of indentation (mm)



Brightness
depends on the smoothness of the surface and
the natural reflectance of the coated metal
Adherence
Weak adherence lead to peeling off
It can be measured by methods like bending,
twisting, sudden heating or cooling



Protective value
Depends on thickness and porosity
Nonporous and thicker coating has more protecting
power
Decorative Value
Coating should be bright, free of stain and
discoloration
The liberation of H2 along with deposit can cause
blistering and pitting off the deposit
It gives dull appearance

Factors Influencing electro deposition

1. Cleanliness of the article to be plated

A well cleaned properly pre-treated surface is essential for
strong, adherent coating
Maximum coating adhesion can be obtained only the metal
surface is free from any dirt and corrosion product
2. Temperature of the bath
Usually kept between 35-60o C, temp close to room temp
Warm baths are also used
Increases the solubility of electrolyte, increases the conc. of
metal ion and thereby increases current density
Decreases the crystal size of, thereby lowering the cost of
electrical energy
High temp is avoided as it accelerates H2 evolution which
leads to the non-uniform coatings

3) Throwing Power

Ability of electrolytic cell to give deposit of
uniform thickness over the entire cathode area

When cathode is in regular shape maximum
throwing power is exhibited

When it is in irregular shape, the throwing
power can be improved by
1. Agitating the solution to minimize the high
local electrolyte conc.
2. Reduce the distance between the electrodes by
using auxiliary anodes



4.Composition of the Electrolyte (Bath)

Low metal ion conc. is preferred as they give rise to very
adherent coating
It is achieved by using complexing agent or using
common ions
Different stages of ionization of metal ions and so
produces lesser amount of ions
Na[Cu(CN)2] ------- Na+ +[Cu(CN)2]----Cu2+ +2CN(Sod. bis Cyano copper (II))

Due to complex ion, slowly dissociate and produce lesser

metal ions
Addition of H2SO4 to CuSO4 bath
CuSO4 --------------- Cu2+ + SO4 2H2SO4 --------------- 2H+ + SO42(common ion effect reduces the dissociation of CuSO4)



5) Choice of Electrolyte
Electrolyte should be
A good conductor
Highly soluble
Not undergo any other chemical changes
Sufficient throwing power
No single electrolyte satisfy all these requirement
To improve conductivity non-participating
electrolytes are added
Ex. Addition of H2SO4 to CuSO4 bath



6) Current Density
Current per unit area of the object being plated
expressed in A cm-2, A m-2
The c.d should be optimum value
If it is high, the deposits become loose and brittle
If is very low the rate of electro deposition is quite
low and it takes long time to finish the coating
process

Current density: 1 200 mA / cm2

7) pH of the bath

Must be properly maintained to get deposition

effectively

Optimum pH is obtained from experience

pH is maintained by using buffers

pH lower than optimum value leads to H2 evolution
which results in burnt deposit

Higher value leads to precipitation of hydroxides at
the electrode surface

pH ranges from 4 (moderately acidic) to 8 (slightly
alkaline)



8) Additives
Nature of the deposit is remarkably influenced by
additives
Added to get strong, adherent and mirror- smooth
coating
Added in small quantities
Brighteners, levelers, structure modifiers and wetting
agents
Ex. Gelatin, glue, boric acid
9)Agitation
Agitating the solution to minimize the high local
electrolyte conc.
Should not be used great extent because it may lead to
rough deposition and increase the temp of the bath



Theory
Depositing a thin layer of superior metal (or alloy) over an
inferior (base) one by passing a direct current (D.C) through an
electrolyte solution containing metal ions to be deposited
Cathode:
The base metal to be plated is made the cathode of the electrolytic cell
Anode
The anode is either made up of coating metal (soluble anode) itself or
an inert material (insoluble anode) of good electrical conductivity



Soluble anodes:
The concentration of bath/solution remains unaltered, since
the metal ions deposited from the bath are replenished
continuously by the reaction of free anions with the anode
metal.
The anode is replaced once it is consumed

Insoluble anodes
The salt is added continuously in order to maintain
the concentration of the electrolytic bath
The process of electroplating goes on non-stop,
since the anode is not consumed and its replacement
is not required.

Procedure:

The article to be electroplated is first pretreated with

chemical cleaning with org. solvent and then by acid
cleaning.
The cleaned article is made as a cathode of an electrolytic
cell
The anode is either the soluble or insoluble type
The bath is prepared by dissolving the salts of coating metal
along with some additives
The anode and cathode are dipped in the electrolytic
solution
When current is passed, deposition takes place on the
surface of the cathode
The required time ranges from a few sec to 30 min.
Thickness of deposit ranges from 0.01 to 100 um



Ex: Electro deposition of Au

Anode: Gold plate
Cathode: Article to be coated
Electrolyte: AuCN solution
T : 60o C
Current density: 1 10 mA / cm2
In the Bath
AuCN <--------Au+ + CN- ---- Ionization of electrolyte
On passing d.c current
At the Cathode
Au+ + 1e- --------
Au ()
At the Anode
Au ------------ Au+ +1e-

Continuous replenishment of electrolyte or gold anode is essential.

Uses:
Gold deposited materials can be used in electrical, electronic appliances,
high quality decoration and highly oxidation resistant coating
0.05 1.0 micron gold plating is used in making gold plated jewels