Surface Cleaning Preparation Prior to Electroplating
Electroplating is a process of depositing a thin layer of metal onto a surface by means of an electrolytic cell. To ensure proper adhesion of the plated metal, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned prior to plating. The cleaning process involves the removal of contaminants, such as oils, polishing compounds, and other residues, from the surface to be plated. The first consideration when selecting a cleaning product is substrate compatibility. Different substrates, such as steel, stainless steel, ceramics, and copper alloys, require different cleaning solutions to achieve optimal results.
There are several different types of products available for surface cleaning preparation, including polishing compounds removal agents, oil residues removal agents, deoxidisers, electrocleaners, activators, finishing agents, and anti-corrosion protection agents.
Polishing compounds removal agents are used to remove slight oils, grinding compounds, polishing compounds, and fingerprints from the surface prior to plating. Examples of polishing compounds removal agents include GALVEX TM, GALVEX 20.02, and RODACLEAN 2018. Oil residues removal agents are used to remove oils and other contaminants from the surface prior to plating. Examples of oil residues removal agents include GALVAPREP SU 2018 and SUPER GALVEX 001. Deoxidisers are used to remove surface oxides prior to plating. Examples of deoxidisers include SOLVIT N°4 and CERACLEAN SP. Electrocleaners are used to remove contaminants, such as oils, from the surface by means of an electrolytic process. An example of an electrocleaner is GALVAPREP SP GL. Activators are used to prepare the surface for plating by creating an ideal surface for adhesion. Examples of activators include NGL 17.41 P and GALVAPREP 707. Finishing agents are used to achieve a spot-free finish on the surface prior to plating. Examples of finishing agents include GALVEX 18.08 and FINISH AID SUPER 7. Anti-corrosion protection agents are used to protect sensitive steel following plating. An example of an anti-corrosion protection agent is KORROSTOP 5000. Each cleaning solution has its own pH value and L/S (liquid-to-solid) ratio, which affects its effectiveness. The optimal pH value and L/S ratio for each solution will depend on the substrate and type of contaminant being removed.
Each cleaning solution has its own set of instructions for use, which should be followed carefully to ensure optimal results. The concentration of the solution, temperature, and duration of the cleaning process will vary depending on the specific product and application. In addition to the pH value and L/S ratio, there are several other technical details to consider when selecting a cleaning solution. These include the substrate compatibility, type of contaminant being removed, and the method of cleaning (e.g. ultrasonic or immersion).
| Application | Substrate compatibility | Products | L/S | pH | Instructions for use | Technical Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polishing compounds removal, oil residues removal | All metals | GALVEX TM | L | 9.8 | Conc.: 2-5% T°C: 50-70°C / 122-158°F Time: 3-5 min | Lightly alkaline liquid used for the removal of slight oils, grinding compounds, polishing compounds and finger prints, in ultrasonic processes. |
| GALVEX 20.02 | L | 10.3 | Conc.: 2-5% T°C: 40-70°C / 104-158°F Time: 2-5 min | Lightly alkaline liquid, used for the removal of polishing compounds in ultrasonic or soaking processes. | ||
| NANOCLEAN 2018 | L | 9.5 | Conc.: 1-5% T°C: 40-60°C / 104-140°F Time: 3-5 min | Slightly alkaline liquid used in ultrasonic for the removal of cerium oxide, aluminium oxide, surfacing residues and fingerprints. | ||
| GALVAPREP SU 2018 | P | 10 (3% DI) | Conc.: 20-60 g/L T°C: 40-70°C / 104-158°F Time: 3-5 min | Alkaline powder used in ultrasonic processes to remove oils and polishing compounds prior to electroplating and vacuum deposition. | ||
| GP 17.40 SUP | P | 9.8 (3% DI) | Conc.: 5-20 g/L T°C: 40-70°C / 104-158°F Time: 1-3 min | Slightly alkaline powder for decontamination of surfaces, in ultrasonic processes. | ||
| Steel, stainless steel and ceramics | RODACLEAN 2018 | L | 14 | Conc.: 3-10 % T°C: 40-70°C / 104-158°F Time: 3-5 min | Highly alkaline liquid product for removing oil or polishing compound residues in ultrasonic processes. | |
| All metals except aluminium, zamac, zinc | SUPER GALVEX 001 | L | 9 | Conc.: 3-5 % T°C: 70-75°C / 158-167°F Time: 2-3 min | Universal degreaser, slightly alkaline, used to remove light oils, polishing compounds and finger prints, in ultrasonic processes. | |
| GALVEX 17.30 PLUS | L | 10.8 | Conc.: 1-3 % T°C: 70-80°C / 158-176°F Time: 2-3 min | Multi-purpose degreaser for ultrasonic or immersion processes. | ||
| MESSERCLEAN | L | 1.9 | Conc.: 3-10 % T°C: 35-60°C / 95-140°F Time: 30 s - 5 min | |||
| Deoxidization | All metals | SOLVIT N°4 | L | 0.9 | Conc.: 3-10 % T°C: 60-70°C / 140-158°F Time: 20 s - 5 min | Deoxidation and degreasing prior to vacuum metallization and electroplating, in ultrasonic processes. |
| All metals except aluminium and zamac | CERACLEAN SP | L | 0.5 | Conc.: 3-10 % T°C: 45-60°C / 113-140°F Time: 2-4 min | Liquid product used in ultrasonic processes to obtain a spot free finish on all surfaces, prior to hot air drying. | |
| Electrocleaner | All metals | GALVAPREP SP GL | P | 11.6 (3% DI) | Conc.: 40-60 g/L T°C: 40-50°C / 104-122°F Time: 1-2 min | |
| Activation | Steel, stainless steel | NGL 17.41 P | P | 12.5 (3% DI) | Conc.:30-50 g/L T°C: 50-60°C / 122-140°F Time: 2-4 min | Alkaline powder for the preparation of surfaces prior to vacuum metallisation. |
| Neutralisation and activation | Copper alloys | GALVAPREP 707 | P | 1.,5 (3% DI) | Conc.: 40-60 g/L T°C: 20°C / 68°F Time: 10-30 s | |
| Finishing | All metals | GALVEX 18.08 | L | 9.4 | Conc.: 0,1-3 % T°C: 40-60°C / 104-140°F Time: 3-5 min | Lightly alkaline liquid, antistatic effect, designed for degreasing and finishing of surfaces, prior to hot air drying. |
| FINISH AID SUPER 7 | L | 8 | Conc.: 0,02-0,1 % T°C: 40-60°C / 104-140°F Time: 2-3 min | |||
| Anti-corrosion protection | Steel | KORROSTOP 5000 | L | 12.3 | Conc.: 0,02-0,1 % T°C: 20-30°C / 68-86°F Time: 2-3 min | Anticorrosion additive for the protection of sensitive steel following an aqueous cleaning process. |
L / P: Liquid or Powder
DI: demineralized water
