Smut on Nickel Anodes
What causes black smut to form on the nickel anodes in our barrel plating bath?
Q. What causes black smut to form on the nickel anodes in our barrel plating bath? H.N.
A. Formation of black smut on nickel anodes can occur when using S nickel an-odes. The nickel anodes contain small amounts of sulfur that help the anode to dissolve efficiently. There usually is no problem with this type of anode contami-nating your nickel plating bath. You must, however, bag your anodes. Often double bagging is used to prevent this smut from entering the plating bath. If you haven’t done so, you should bag your anodes.
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