How to use this calculator
1. In the first box, click on the shade of bronze that you wish to mix.
2. In the second box, choose whether you wish to measure the components for the mixture by volume (V) or by Weight (W).
3. In the third box enter the surface area of the work that you are plating in square centimetres.
4. In the fourth box, enter the thickness that you wish to plate to in microns.
5. In the fifth box, click on the type of swab that you are going to use.
6. Click the 'Calculate' button.
7. Read off the amount of solutions that you need to add either in millilitres or grams and the timeit's going to take.
Notes
If the recommended amount of solution is not enough to wet the swab, then the values shown on the calculator will need to be increased in fixed proportion. For example, if the yellow mix showing 5.6g Copper to 1.8g Bronze Mixer is not enough to fully wet the swab, you can add another 5.6g of Copper and 1.8g of Bronze Mixer. If this is not enough, just repeat the previous additions until the swab is fully wetted.
The recommended plating voltage is 4.5 volts. However bronze can be plated between 3.5 and 4.5 volts. At lower voltages, the amount of copper is increased and the colour shifts to red and at higher voltages, the amount of copper is decreased resulting in a colour shift to white. Adjusting the voltage allows fine control of the colour of the plate.
Once mixed, the solution should be used within 20 minutes.
As the solution ages, the content of copper in the plated layer increases.
If there's a colour shift to red when plating in recesses, increase the voltage to 5 volts to counter the colour shift.
The plating times are calculated assuming a flat surface is being plated. If the surface is anything but flat, then plating times will increase. In the case of the article being complex in shape, the plating time may be many more times the plating time quoted.
The minimum surface area for the calculator to work is 10 cm2.