Electroplating measurements

Mercury layers plated onto the surface of analytical electrodes serve as Hquid metal coatings. These function as analytical sensors (qv) because sodium and other metals can be electroplated into the amalgam, then deplated and measured (see Electro analytical techniques). This is one of the few ways that sodium, potassium, calcium, and other active metals can be electroplated from aqueous solution. In one modification of this technique, a Hquid sample can be purified of trace metals by extended electrolysis in the presence of a mercury coating (35). 

Electrochemical systems are found in a number of industrial processes. In addition to the subsequent discussions of electrosynthesis, electrochemical techniques are used to measure transport and kinetic properties of systems (see Electroanalyticaltechniques) to provide energy (see Batteries Euel cells) and to produce materials (see Electroplating). Electrochemistry can also play a destmctive role (see Corrosion and corrosion control). The fundamentals necessary to analyze most electrochemical systems have been presented. More details of the fundamentals of electrochemistry are contained in the general references. 

Plate thickness is an important factor in electroplating, in terms of both performance and economics. Corrosion resistance, porosity, wear, appearance, and several other properties are proportional to plate thickness. Minimum plate thicknesses are, or should be, specified as should the location, or check-point, where the thickness is to be measured. In some appHcations, such as threaded fasteners, maximum thicknesses should be specified. Root diameters of finer machine threads can be adversely affected by as Htde as 10 p.m of plating. 

Properties, Specifications, and Test Methods Standard test methods are required to measure the properties of electroplated materials. Documents on plating specifications for many phases of the plating process are pubHshed by such organizations as the Federal government, the military, ASTM, ISO, SAE, etc. An excellent cross-index of these is available (37). 

A number of bi-electrodes have been studied for application as insoluble anodes in electroplating platinised titanium, Ti-Pt, Ti-Cu and Ti-Ag. Anodic polarisation measurements in various copper, nickel, chromium and tin plating solutions together with passivation current densities are used to discuss performance and suitability. 

Some electroplating solutions produce more uniform deposits than others, and the ability of a solution to deposit uniform coatings is measured by its throwing power (see Section 12.1). 

Method for measurement of impedance of anodic coatings on aluminium Recommended practice for rating of electroplated panels subjected to atmospheric exposure... 

Figure 7.8. The net carrier concentration versus depth for the devices measured by C-V (DLTS measurements).The levels are designated for AP = autoplated (electroless deposition) EP = electroplated (electrodeposition) and PVD = physical vapor deposition. [Reproduced with permission from Ref. 95. Copyright 2001 Elsevier.]...

Experiment 21 Measurements Using Electrochemical Cells and Electroplating... 

Sample preparation is rather involved. A sample of urine or fecal matter is obtained and treated with calcium phosphate to precipitate the plutonium from solution. This mixture is then centrifuged, and the solids that separate are dissolved in 8 M nitric acid and heated to convert the plutonium to the +4 oxidation state. This nitric acid solution is passed through an anion exchange column, and the plutonium is eluted from the column with a hydrochloric-hydroiodic acid solution. The solution is evaporated to dryness, and the sample is redissolved in a sodium sulfate solution and electroplated onto a stainless steel planchette. The alpha particles emitted from this electroplated material are measured by the alpha spectroscopy system, and the quantity of radioactive plutonium ingested is calculated. Approximately 2000 samples per year are prepared for alpha spectroscopy analysis. The work is performed in a clean room environment like that described in Workplace Scene 1.2. 

Troy Heany of the Molex, Inc., positions an electroplated specimen in the x-ray diffractometer (left) and then observes the computer image of the location on the specimen where the thickness is measured (right). 

Personnel working in some programs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) may handle radioactive materials that, under certain circumstances, could be taken into the body. Employees are monitored for such intakes through a series of routine and special bioassay measurements. One such measurement involves a thermal ionization mass spectrometer. In this technique, the metals in a sample are electroplated onto a rhenium filament. This filament is inserted into the ion source of the mass spectrometer and a current is passed through it. The ions of the plutonium isotopes are thus formed and then accelerated through the magnetic held. The number of ions of each isotope are counted and the amount of Pu-239 in the original sample calculated by comparison to a standard. 

A great number of measurements have been reported for articles electroplated with zinc. The various aims have been evaluation of the corrosion rate of zinc that had been plated in a number of commercial cyanide-free zinc baths," comparison of the corrosion rate of a composite material (zinc with codeposits of various oxides) and of pure zinc deposits," corrosion testing of various alloyed zinc platings (Zn-Ni, Zn-Co, Zn-Fe), with or without subsequent post-treatment. Most of the work in the last category was only recorded in internal reports. The published work consists of an examination of the corrosion behavior of a ctoomated Zn-Fe... 

Standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) The standard against which redox potentials are measured. The SHE consists of a platinum electrode electroplated with Pt black (to catalyse the electrode reaction), over which hydrogen at a pressure of 1 atm is passed. The electrode is immersed in a solution containing hydrogen ions at unit activity (e.g. 1.228 mol dm of aqueous HCl at 20°C). The potential of the SHE half cell is defined as 0.000 V at all temperatures. 

Electron Configuration distribution of electrons into different shells and orbitals from the lower to higher energy levels Electronegativity measure of the attraction of an element for a bonding pair of electrons Electroplating process where a metal is reduced on to the surface of an object, which serves as the cathode in an electrochemical cell... 

A quite different application of GDMS is the measurement of hydrogen and deuterium concentration, including depth profile analysis, e.g. in a gold electroplated layer on a CuSn substrate as described in reference.116 The relative sensitivity coefficient of hydrogen was evaluated by measurements of titanium standard reference material. 

A well compounded ebonite free from carbon black and hygroscopic ingredients and with its surface in a clean condition has a very high resistivity both through the mass of the material, and over its surface. It is so far above what is required for most practical purposes that it is seldom necessary to measure these properties, especially in cases of electroplating tanks lined with ebonite required in most steel plants. 

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