Rectifiers for the Plating Industry
Published

Plating Zamak Jewelry

Our company produces pendants and other jewelry parts out of Zamak metal. We find that the finished products have pores that we are unable to cover with the copper plating that we apply. Can you suggest any processes that will cover these pores?

Share

Q. Our company produces pendants and other jewelry parts out of Zamak metal. We find that the finished products have pores that we are unable to cover with the copper plating that we apply. Can you suggest any processes that will cover these pores? —E.C.

A. The quality of Zamak alloys vary greatly. They can be made from good-quality zinc, aluminum, copper and magnesium, or from lower-grade recycled materials. This variable can affect the quality of the finish that is applied to the parts. The actual cleaning and plating cycle also has a major role to play in finishing the parts. Many different procedures for plating of Zamak have been used, and the table below offers one basic sequence for plating:

Procedure Conditions
Degrease  
Electroclean Cathodically or, better, cathodically and finish anodically
Rinse thoroughly  
Dip in sulfuric acid solution 5 mL H2SO4 in 1L water, 30-60 sec. or until gassing begins; do not overclean
Rinse thoroughly  
Cyanide copper strike Introduce "hot" at ~ 24 ASF for 2 min. and then reduce to 10-12 ASF for 5 min.
Rinse thoroughly  
Dip in sufuric acid solution Use a 10-mL/L solution
Rinse thoroughly  
Acid copper sulfate plate Plate to a thickness of at least 10-15 microns. If the part is large enough and you have a heavy enough copper plate, the part can be buffed to smear out the copper and fill in the pores.
Rinse  
Proceed with silver plating process Remember that silver should not be plated directly on copper. A barrier layer should be part of your process.

 

Related Content

In-Place Repairs for Canning Presses
FISCHERSCOPE® XAN® LIQUID ANALYZER
Hitachi High-Tech FT200 series
Reduced Ion Electroless Nickel
Luster-On Products
KCH Engineered Systems
Rectifiers for the Plating Industry
Pretreatment Washer and Finishing Equipment
Reduced Ion Electroless Nickel