You can use our Alkaline Copper Brush Plating Solution to plate onto difficult-to-plate metals such as zinc and zincated aluminium.
If the item you want to plate is going to be used outdoors and exposed to the elements, you will need to plate a layer of at least 5 microns. This makes brush plating impractical, so in this case we recommend tank plating with our Alkaline Copper Tank Plating Solution to achieve these thicknesses.
If the item is going to be used indoors, then the brush plating method will be suitable. You will need to plate to at least 0.5 microns for this application.
Please click on the ‘Videos’ tab to see how you can use this solution to plate on aluminium and zinc. Under the video you will find a list of the equipment and solutions we have used, along with links to the corresponding product pages.
HS Code: 3824 99 70
Alkaline Copper Brush Plating Solution can be used to plate items that will not be exposed to outside conditions or harsh environments.
Please click on the ‘Videos’ tab to see how you can use this solution to plate on aluminium and zinc. Under the video you will find a list of the equipment and solutions we have used, along with links to the corresponding product pages.
Here’s a shot of a typical set up for using our alkaline copper brush plating solution to plate on aluminium, with the final layer being our gold brush plating solution. You can see a video of this process by clicking on the Videos tab and step by step instructions under the Process Sequences tab.
Here’s a toy car that has been plated first with our alkaline copper brush plating solution then silver brush plated and then selectively gold plated, all with our brush plating solutions.
Plating onto difficult-to-plate metals such as zinc, aluminium and steel can prove more difficult than other metals. A post-plate test is recommended using a good brand of adhesive tape to check for adhesion.
In this example we have tested a copper-plated aluminium strip for adhesion using sticky tape.
Please click on the ‘Videos’ tab to see how you can use this solution to plate on aluminium and zinc. Under the video you will find a list of the equipment and solutions we have used, along with links to the corresponding product pages.
Here is a video showing how to copper plate on zinc
These are the products that were used in this video;
Thanks to our extensive R&D, brush plating on zinc and zinc based alloys such as Zamak and Mazak is no longer the challenge that it used to be. We have developed a process that involves plating straight onto zinc with a layer of our Alkaline Copper Brush Plating Solution and then using this as a base for subsequent layers of silver or gold.
Below is a step-by-step guide on silver and selective gold plating a zinc model of a mini.
For more guidance on this process, please click on the Video and Process Sequences tab in this tabbed panel.
Please note: The Rectifier shown in this project has now been discontinued.
For help with setting up your brush plating equipment, please click HERE for a guide.
2. Surface preparation
Polish the zinc to a high shine on a polishing wheel and clean off all traces of polishing compound with MPU. After cleaning with MPU, go straight on with the next plated layer.
3. Alkaline Copper plating 4 volts
Alkaline Copper Brush Plating Solution can be optionally thickened with Thickener to ensure more solution stays on the swab.
4. Silver plating 2.5 - 3.5 volts
After building up a good layer of copper undercoat (at least 0.5 microns), you can go straight ahead with silver plating.
Silver Brush Plating using our Silver Brush Plating Solution
5. Selective gold plating
Carefully mask out the area you don’t wish to be plated with a strongly coloured nail varnish. Using an artist’s brush instead of the brush supplied with the nail varnish bottle will enable you to apply the varnish far more accurately. Allow to set in a warm dry place for at least 15 minutes before you start plating.
Use the plating pen to carefully apply the gelled gold plating solution.
7. Finishing
Remove the nail varnish with nail varnish remover and finish the surface with MetaSeal.
Brush Calculator
Operating Conditions and Deposit Data
Voltage Range
3.5 – 5 volts
Temperature
18 – 25 °C
Electrode
Carbon, copper or platinum
Plating Rate at (4.5 volts, Carbon Electrode)
Over 2 micron per minute (spot)
Maximum coating thickness
5 microns
Hardness
380 Hv
Density of deposit
8.9 g/cm3
Stress
Medium stress
Special storage requirements
None
Shelf life
1 – 2 years
Health and Safety classification
Irritant
Special considerations
None
Transport (UN number)
Not restricted as per Special Provision A197 for: ADR/RID, IMDG and IATA.
Notes:
Copper strike is designed as a key layer and not for build up. We don’t recommend plating above 1 micron.
A thicker layer can be built up using PP Copper after copper strike plating.
General guide;
Certain small items, for example Swabs, Nibs and Plating Pens can be sent by normal post within the UK
The courier option for UK deliveries is FedEx
Free UK mainland delivery available on orders over £200
International orders usually 3-5 working days.
For all price quotations for deliveries, please add your items to our shopping cart. You will be able to see the shipping costs by clicking on the ‘Calculate shipping’ button in the cart and before checking out.
Please click on the link below to download the SDS for this product:
Brush plate to at least 0.5 microns using Alkaline Copper Brush Plating Solution.
Notes:
Most zinc is cast and contains surface impurities that need to be mechanically removed to achieve good adhesion.
This can be done in a variety of ways including abrading, polishing or tumbling in a barrel with abrasive medium added.
Plating on to Aluminium
Degrease
Rub with MPU keeping the part moist.
Rinse
Zincate in Zincate Dip for 30 seconds to 2 minutes
Rinse
Brush Plate with Alkaline Copper Brush Plating Solution.
Try to get a full complete coverage of copper before building up the copper layer.
