Platinum Flash Tank Plating Solution – Ideal for Thin Decorative Coatings
This solution has been specifically developed for flash platinum plating where a thin, bright white finish is required at the lowest possible cost per item.
- Optimised for thin platinum deposits that are typically used in jewellery applications
- Produces a bright white finish, suitable as an alternative to rhodium in many cases
- Lower platinum concentration helps reduce operating costs
- Designed for controlled low current density operation for consistent results
- Minimal gas evolution at recommended settings helps achieve smooth, even coatings
All of the above points makes the solution particularly suitable for jewellers carrying out high volumes of plating work, where appearance and cost efficiency are key considerations.
Typical applications include:
- Flash plating of rings and jewellery
- White finishing of gold items
- Cost-effective alternative to rhodium for decorative use
Available to UK customers only
Product Details
Platinum Flash Tank Plating Solution has been developed for producing thin, bright platinum coatings in a controlled and cost-effective manner. It is particularly suited to jewellery applications where a very thin layer of platinum is sufficient to achieve a clean, white finish.
Designed for controlled operation
This solution is intended to be operated at a defined current density rather than by voltage alone. By controlling the current based on the surface area of the workpiece, consistent results can be achieved with minimal trial and error.
Operating within the recommended range helps to minimise gas evolution at the surface, resulting in smoother, more uniform deposits.
Ideal for flash plating applications
In many jewellery applications, only a very thin deposit is required to achieve the desired appearance. This solution is optimised for this type of work, allowing users to achieve a bright white finish efficiently without the need for high metal concentrations.
Simple to use in practice
- Estimate the surface area of the item to be plated
- Set the current based on the recommended value of 0.01 A/cm²
- Plate for the required time to achieve the desired thickness
A dedicated Platinum Flash Tank Plating Calculator will be available shortly to help determine the correct current and plating time quickly and accurately.
Consistent results
When operated within the recommended conditions, the solution produces smooth, fine-grained platinum deposits with a bright white appearance suitable for most decorative applications.
This makes it a practical and economical alternative to rhodium plating where a slightly warmer tone is acceptable.
Quick Start Guide
For quick setup, follow the guide below:
- Estimate the surface area of the item to be plated (e.g. a typical ring is 2–4 cm²).
- Set the current using the recommended value of 0.01 A/cm².
- Plate for the required time depending on the thickness required.
- Maintain solution temperature between 35 – 42 °C for best results.
Important: If bubbles (gassing) appear on the workpiece, reduce the current. This indicates excessive current density and may result in dull or discoloured deposits.
Optional (recommended for best coverage):
For improved coverage on complex shapes or recessed areas, apply a short strike at 0.03 A/cm² for up to 30 seconds at the start of plating. The current should then be reduced to the standard operating value of 0.01 A/cm².
How to use this calculator
1. In the first box, enter the thickness that you want to plate to in microns (thousandths of a millimetre).
2. In the second box, enter the surface area of the article in square centimetres (cm2).
3. Click the ‘Calculate’ button.
4. Read off the amp setting for your MultiPlater and the plating time.
5. For thouse using our Coulometer, read off the coulometer count in the next box. You can significantly improve how accurately you measure your plate’s thickness by using this.
6. Read off the volume or weight of replenisher to add.
7. The weight of platinum is included in the final box. This is the weight by which your work piece should increase to obtain you desired thickness.
Operating Conditions and Deposit Data
| Plating Factor |
0.01 A/cm2 (see notes) |
| Maximum deposit thickness |
0.7 micron (approximately 12 minutes at 0.01 A/cm²) (see notes) |
| Plating rate |
~0.04 micron per minute at 0.01 A/cm² |
| Temperature |
35 – 42 °C |
| pH |
<1 |
| Platinum concentration |
2 grams per litre |
| Turnovers to exhaustion |
12 – 14 (see notes for definition) |
| Agitation |
None to minimum |
| Anodes |
Platinum rod electrodes with bags preferred, or mesh electrode |
| Lightness (L*) of deposit |
72 |
| Platinum content in plate |
99.9% |
| Cathode efficiency |
~15% at 0.01 A/cm² |
| Hardness |
450 – 500 Hv |
| Density of deposit |
21.3 g/cm3 |
| Stress |
High |
| Special storage requirements |
Away from sunlight |
| Shelf life |
1 – 2 years |
| Health and Safety classification |
Harmful |
| Special considerations |
None |
| Transport (UN number) |
UN number: 2796 |
Notes:
-
- We advise a strike current at 0.03 A/cm2 for the first 30 seconds to ensure complete coverage of platinum.
- A turnover is defined as one complete replenishment of platinum. In the case of
Platinum Flash Tank Plating Solution, as the concentration of platinum is 2 grams per litre, a turnover for 1 litre.
of solution is 2 grams and the bath would be exhausted at between 24 to 28 grams of platinum plated or approximately
1 litre of Platinum Tank Replenisher added.
- Plating over 0.7 micron may result in delamination of the platinum film or any underlying thin films.
- Gassing at the workpiece is a sign of excessive current density and may result in dull or discoloured deposits.
- For best results, operate within the recommended current density range. Higher current densities may lead to gas evolution and reduced deposit quality.
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 and APC. Delivery times range usually from 2 – 5 working days.
- Royal Mail option is available on a limited range of non-liquid orders. Delivery from 5 – 10 working days.
- Free UK mainland delivery available on orders over £200
- International orders usually 5 – 10 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:
https://goldn.co.uk/msds/platinum-flash-tank-plating-solution.pdf
