Platinised Titanium Anodes for Hard Chrome Plating

 Current hard chromium plating processes are predominantly based on chromic acid and sulfuric acid, the nature of chrome electroplating bath can impact the longevity of the anodes. In particular, free fluoride ions; it can attack the metals of the anode and cause corrosion.  

 

Lead tin alloy anodes are commonly used for hard chrome plating, but the sludge of lead chromate is usually formed on the bottom of the plating tank. As a soft metal, lead alloy anode is easily deform or bend, which affects the current density and result in uneven plating thickness and may cause short circuit.

Platinized titanium anode is a good option in hard chrome plating, it reduces the amount of hazardous lead sludge generation, is dimensional stability, resulting in a more stable, homogeneous, and consistent-thickness plating process. Also, platinized anodes are much more flexible in shaping and dimensioning and can be designed according to the shapes of the work pieces to be plated.

 

UTron employs titanium expanded mesh as substrate, since it produces uniform current density and excellent plating results. It also enables gases to escape more effectively and increase the movement of the electrolyte to give a higher coating current density and smaller distances between the anode and the cathode.

For coating, UTron has designed a novel high-temperature electrolysis method for platinum coating; it is produced on the anode in molten salt with a platinum content at a temperature of 550°C. It is significantly superior to products coated with platinum in aqueous electrolytes. The purity of the coating is at least 99.9 percent. The ductility, adhesion and corrosion resistance of the platinum coating are considerably better, while the internal stresses are kept to a minimum. The coating thickness distribution is much more uniform, because of the dimensional stability of the anodes.

 

 

Platinised Titanium Anodes for Hard Chrome Plating Parameters:

Substrate: Titanium

Coating: Platinum

Coating thickness: 2-5µm

Operating life: service life of up to 1059 hours under a current density of 1.2 Acm -2

Shape: plate, mesh, cylindrical mesh, wire, rods, tubes, sheets (expanded mesh form is widely used). 

Solution: higher chromic acid solution

Current densities <75 A/dm 2

Fluoride content: ~ 10 mg F /L.

 

Features:

Dimensionally stable

Constant cell voltage

Highly conductive

Good corrosion resistant properties in sulphate solutions.

Reduced electricity consumption,

Lower oxygen overvoltage

Lighter weight, ease installation and removal.

Shorter downtimes  

No sludge is formed as the anodes don’t dissolve like lead.

Longer bath life,

Easily fabricated into any shape

 

Applications:

PCB Copper Plating;

Cathodic protection;

Jewelry electroplating bath;

Electronics and semiconductor industry

Precious and non- precious metal electroplating

 

 

UTron offers free consultation, tailor made coating and anode service, the anode coating can be refurbishment.