Post Treatment of Anodising Layers / Nickel- and Cobalt free Alternatives Working at Ambient Temperatures


NickFor post treating anodising layers on aluminium, typically two different technologies are applied, the hot water sealing at 96-100 °C and the cold sealing using reactive salts to plug the pores of the anodic coating. Both applications show major disadvantages. Whereas the hot water sealing is extremely energy consuming due to the mandatory hot process temperature, the low temperature sealing processes typically apply nickel compounds being harmful to the environment. Nickel salts are toxic and carcinogenetic, having irreversible effects on the human body and health. Furthermore, nickel containing waste waters are difficult to treat, especially when also aluminium is present [1]. New nickel-free technologies have been developed accordingly, enabling a low temperature application yielding in major energy savings. The deposition of antisoluble compounds in the pores of the anodizing layer leads to best stability and corrosion protection, exceeding the performance of hot water sealing. The new process solutions as being non-toxic are less risky to store and to handle, assisting the safety at work. Implementing a new photometrical method for analysing the ingredients, process stability and production quality can be improved [2]. In some cases, the pH-resistance of the anodised surface can be enhanced, extending the application field of anodised aluminium. Moreover, the waste water treatment of the rinses is carried out at pH 9–10, hence, can be done mutually with aluminium containing effluents.  Continue reading

Finite element simulation of nickel electroplating process of a revolving part

Process simulation and optimization with the help of numerical methods can reduce expensive and time consuming experiments for manufacturing good quality products. Electroplating is a prominent coating process that the quality and uniformity of the deposition are of great importance in this process. In this paper a finite element model has been proposed for evaluation of primary and secondary current density values on the cathode surface in nickel electroplating operation of a revolving part. In addition, the capability of presented electroplating simulation has been investigated in order to describe the electroplated thickness of the nickel sulfate solution. Nickel electroplating experiments have been carried out and the measured thickness in different points have been compared with the predictions. A good agreement between the simulated and experimental results was found. Also the results showed that primary current density can describe the general form of thickness distribution but the relative value of current density using secondary current density can present better description of thickness distribution. Continue reading

Microstructure and Particle Incorporation Behavior of Electrocodeposited Ni-Al2O3 Nanocomposites

Nickel-alumina composite films were obtained by electrocodeposition using different deposition techniques, viz. direct current (DC) deposition and pulse-reverse plating (PRP). Particle incorporation was determined by means of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES). The structure of the films was analyzed using electron microscopy, viz. scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction. A <100> fiber texture was found for pure nickel films, which was reduced due to a change in plating conditions and particle incorporation. EBSD mappings indicate that the nanosized particles inhibit nickel growth and thus lead to a smaller nickel crystallite size combined with a distinct loss of the <100> texture. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and TEM reveal that the inclusion of alumina nanoparticles preferentially takes place in the grain boundary region where the particles terminate the growth of nickel. High-resolution TEM imaging proves a complete embedding of nanoparticles by the nickel matrix without any voids. Continue reading

Electroplating of Nickel in Grooves Under the Influence of Low and Medium Frequency Ultrasound

The effect of ultrasonics on filling properties has been studied by Ni electroplating from a sulphamate electrolyte in high aspect ratio grooves. Experiments were carried out with two different modes of ultrasound: a) 25 kHz ultrasound with an effect of 225 W directed perpendicular to the substrate surface; b) ultrasonic standing waves of 100 kHz and 400 kHz parallel to the substrate surface. It was found that both methods improve filling in grooves that are between 0.35 and 1 mm wide with aspect ratios between 0.6 and 3, compared to electroplating with conventional agitation. Under the investigated conditions, the 400 kHz standing wave parallel to the surface was most efficient to improve filling of grooves. Continue reading