Electroplating benefits

In the early 1970s, the first companies to apply low cost, mass production techniques to photovoltaics, a technology that had previously been considered an exotic aerospace technology, emerged. These techniques included the use of electroplated and screen printed metal paste electrical conductors, reflow soldered ribbon interconnects, and by 1977, low cost, automobile windshield-style, laminated module constmction. Such processes benefitted from a substantial existing industrial infrastmcture, and have become virtually ubiquitous in the present PV industry. 

Electrochemistry is widely used in industry, for example in effluent treatment, corrosion prevention and electroplating as well as in electrochemical synthesis. Electrochemical synthesis is a well-established technology for major processes such as aluminium and chlorine production there is, however, increased interest in the use of electrochemistry for clean synthesis of fine chemicals. The possible green benefits of using electrochemical synthesis include ... 

What are some of the benefits of electroplating an item with a metal ... 

Sonoelectrochemistry can be considered as the interaction of sound (hence SONO) with electrochemistry which is itself the interconversion of electrical and chemical energies. Whilst this chapter will concentrate on the application of ultrasound to important industrial processes such electrodeposition (or electroplating) and electo-or-ganic synthesis, it is important to first introduce the concept of electrochemistry, for those who are unfamiliar, so that we will have a better understanding as to what precisely happens in an electrochemical or electroplating process and how the application of ultrasound will be of benefit. 

A major benefit of electroplating a metal is that it becomes more resistant to corrosion. Chrome-plated car parts and zinc-plated food cans are two uses of electroplating to reduce corrosion. Another benefit of electroplating is that it improves the appearance of an object. An item that is gold-plated or silver-plated is much cheaper than the same item in solid gold or silver but looks the same. 

Ultrasound has been used extensively in the electroplating industry for many years, and the literature is full of articles regarding the advantages of ultrasound upon electrodeposition and other electrochemical processes. These benefits include ... 

The simultaneous application of ultrasonic irradiation to an electrochemical reaction which has been termed sonoelectrochemistry has been shown to produce a variety of benefits in almost any electrochemical process. These include enhanced chemical yield in electrosynthesis and the control of product distribution improved electrochemical efficiency in terms of power consumption, improved mixing, and diffusion in the cell minimization of electrode fouling accelerated degassing and often a reduction in the amount of process-enhancing additives required. In a major chapter devoted to this topic, Suki Phull and Dave Walton have attempted to cover the majority of applications of ultrasound in electrochemistry including electrochemical synthesis, electroanalytical chemistry, battery technology, electrocrystallization, electroinitiated polymerization, and electroplating. 

This chapter identifies socioeconomic benefits in major electrochemical market sectors, both present and future. These sectors include energy, industry, national security, and health, among others. The domestic economic contribution, excluding costs of corrosion, approaches 30 billion per year, or about three-fourths of 1 percent of the gross national product (which amounted to 3800 billion in 1984). Within a decade, substantially greater sales are projected for batteries, fuel cells, semiconductors, sensors, corrosion control, and membranes. In addition, introduction of new technology could slow the loss of major markets in electrochemical production of metals and chemicals and in electroplating. 

Electrochemistry Almost any electrochemical process benefits from the presence of ultrasound with improved current efficiency and the prevention of electrode fouling. These advantages are particularly evident in electroplating but can be also beneficial in electrosynthesis and electroanalytical chemistry. 

The increase in corrosion resistance is significant when applied to thin coatings, notably electroplated zinc and cadmium, and the benefits have been discussed widely. Thus Royuela (1969) reports favorable results in exposures in Spanish towns. 

Filament composites exhibit the added benefit of providing wall cooling about 50 times that of conductive coatings. One difficulty, however, is making good electrical contact to the composite at the periphery. This may require electroplating or appHcation of an interface metal tape. 

CuNiAu boards fabricated either with the NiAu as the Cu etch resist or by the SMOBC process followed by electrolessly plating Ni and Au can confer improved PTH reliability. There are two mechanisms for the observed improvement the enhanced rivet effect provided by the Ni and the elimination of Cu dissolution during solder shocks such as wave soldering or PGA rework. For high-aspect-ratio holes, electroless Ni confers an additional benefit because the plating thickness in the barrel is more consistent than for conventional electroplating. 

Decomposition products of the above-mentioned organic additives may have an adverse effect in the individual case. Thus, the maximum temperature resistance for hard nickel deposits from sulfate baths is 300 °C. For the galvanic designer, it is therefore important to know for which processing method the electroplating process is required, so that the benefits of nickel, together with the electroplating, can be used for specific applications. 

Inframat Corporation (2003a) had demonstrated that WC/Co-Ni nanocoating could be obtained via electrocodeposition of WC/Co nanoparticles from a nickel sulfamate colloidal solution. Properties of this WC/Co-Ni nanocoating were compared with conventional electroplated hard chrominm and thermal sprayed WC/Co. Benefits derived from this nanocoating inclnde high hardness and wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, and a smooth deposited snrface. A US... 

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