The use of additives in the hard chrome plating process can make a significant difference in the quality and appearance of the plated layer. Hard chrome additives are often used to control the plating rate, adjust the microstructure of the layer, increase the brightness of the layer, reduce stress and improve the overall performance of the layer. However, the use of additives needs to be properly controlled, as inappropriate use or imbalanced ratios can lead to problems such as pitting of the plated layer.
The relationship between additives and the appearance of pits in the plated layer is as follows:
1. Improper concentration of additives: Too high or too low a concentration of hard chrome additives can affect the quality of the coating. For example, excessive use of certain components can result in a coating that is too smooth, which can create air bubbles or affect chromium deposition by forming pits. Conversely, too low a concentration of additives may result in a rough surface and uneven plating.
2. Imbalanced additive ratios: Hard chrome plating solutions usually contain a variety of additives. These hard chrome additives need to be mixed in the proper proportions to maintain a proper plating reaction. Imbalanced ratios may result in thinning or thickening of the plating in certain areas, resulting in pits. Single agent hard chrome additives from Bigely can be used for simple operation.
3. Aging or deterioration of additives: As the plating process progresses, hard chrome additives may gradually fail due to chemical reaction or thermal decomposition. If these deteriorated additives are not replaced or replenished in a timely manner, they can cause deposition problems, resulting in a loss of plating quality and the appearance of pits.
4. Reaction of additives with impurities: Impurities in the plating solution, such as metal ions or organic contaminants, can react with the hard chrome additives, which may affect the effectiveness of the additives, and thus the uniformity and smoothness of the plated layer.
In order to avoid plating failures with pits, plating engineers need to check and maintain the plating solution frequently, including:
①Use Bigely hard chrome additive Cr-2, which improves the surface luster and flatness of the plated layer, and also improves the qualification rate of the product (because the plating solution has a good ability of even plating and deep plating after adding Cr-2).
② Periodically analyze the concentration and activity of hard chrome additives and make necessary additions or adjustments;
③ Monitor the temperature, pH and other key parameters of the plating solution to maintain the stability of the plating process;
④ Filtration is performed to remove suspended impurities that may react with the additive;
⑤ Replace aged or failed additives in time to maintain the effectiveness of the plating solution.
Do you want to learn more about the process parameters of hard chrome additives? Please contact us.
