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Topic M6 Electroplating: Learning Outcomes
Topic M6 Electroplating: Learning Outcomes
ELECTROPLATING
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the experiment, students have learned to:
1. Conduct electroplating on given metals. (LO4,LO3)
2. Differentiate the coating properties, based on two designated electroplating process
parameters. (LO4,LO3)
CONTENT
7.0 INTRODUCTION
Electroplating is the process of producing a coating, usually metallic, on a surface by
the action of electric current. It is an electrochemical process by which metal is
deposited on a substrate by passing a current through the bath. Electroplating is one of
the ways to prevent corrosion process, increase surface wear resistance, increase
surface hardness, etc. of materials.
Plating is done in a plating bath which is usually a non-metallic tank (usually plastic).
The tank is filled with electrolyte which has the metal, to be plated, in ionic form.
The anode is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply. The anode is
usually the metal to be plated (assuming that the metal will corrode in the electrolyte).
For ease of operation, the metal is in the form of nuggets and placed in an inert metal
basket made out non-corroding metal (such as titanium or stainless steel).
The cathode is the work piece, the substrate to be plated. This is connected to the
negative terminal of the power supply. The power supply is well-regulated to minimize
ripples as well to deliver a steady predictable current, under varying loads such as those
found in plating tanks.
As the current is applied, positive metal ions from the solution are attracted to the
negatively charged cathode and deposit on the cathode. As replenishment for these
deposited ions, the metal from the anode is dissolved and goes into the solution and
balances the ionic potential (Refer to Figure 7.1).
In the case of material such as gold, the anode is not sacrificial (gold does not dissolve
easily!), but it is made out of material that does not dissolve in the electrolyte, such as
titanium. The deposited gold comes out of the solution. Plating is an oxidation-reduction
reaction, where one material gives up electrons (oxidised) and the other material gains
electrons (reduced). The anode is the electrode at which oxidation occurs, and the
cathode is the electrode at which reduction occurs.
Plating is governed by Faraday's Laws that state:
The weight of a substance formed at an electrode is proportional to the amount of current
passed through the cell.
Fe valency (oxidation number) goes from +2 to +3, a change of +1. Therefore and
equivalent of FeCl2 as a reducing agent is equal to 1 mole or 126.75 g. However in the
reaction
Some background:
1 Coulomb = 1 Ampere × 1 second
Charge on 1 electron = 1.602176462 × 10-19 coulomb
Charge on 1 mole of
1.602176462 × 10-19 coulomb/electron
electrons =
6.02214199 × 1023 electrons/mole
= 96485.3415 coulombs/mole
= 1 Faraday
Thus 1 Faraday of charge is equivalent to one mole of electrons being liberated at the
anode. (Do not confuse this with Farad, a unit of electrical capacitance).
Note that in each of the above cases the moles are different depending on the valencies
and the actual reaction taking place. The atomic weight of each element can be obtained
from the periodic table.
Thus 100 Ampere-hours in a CuSO4 solution will plate according to the following formula:
100 A-
= 100 A × 60 min/h × 60 s/min × 1 h
h
= 36 ×104 coulomb
36 ×104 coulomb / [(96485.3415 coulomb/mole-Faraday) × 1
=
mole]
= 3.7311 Faraday
Since 1 Faraday will deposit 31.77g of Copper, 3.7311 Faraday will deposit 118.54 g of
Copper.
Based on the mass of the metal deposited, the thickness can be calculated for objects of
known surface area, because
Mass deposited = Density of the metal × Surface area × thickness.
Ammeter
7.4 ACTIVITIES
7.4.1 RESULTS, OBSERVATIONS AND/OR CALCULATION (30%)
a. Fill in the experimental results in the Table 7.1.
7.5 REFERENCES
a. Smith, W.F. (2010). Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering (5th ed).
Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill. Call number: TA403 .S64 2010.
b. Askeland, D.A et. al. (2010). The Science and Engineering of Material (6th ed).
Mason, OH: Cengage. Call number: TA403 .A84 2010.
c. Murray G. et.al. (2008). Introduction to Engineering Materials (2nd ed). Boca Raton,
FL: CRC. Call number: TA403 .M88 2008.
d. Callister, W.D. Jr. (2007). Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (7th
ed). New York: John Wiley. Call number: TA403 .C33 2007.
e. Jacobs J.A. and Kilduff T.F. (2005). Engineering Materials Technology (5th ed).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Call number: TA403 .J33 2005.
f. Shackelford, J.F. (2005). Introduction to Materials Science for Engineers (6th ed).
Upper Saddle River, NJ : Pearson. Call number: TA403 .S52 2005.
7.6 APPENDIX
10 minutes 30 minutes
Sample Initial weight Final weight Sample Initial weight Final weight
(W o) (W f) (W o) (W f)
Mild steel Mild steel
Bronze Bronze
Copper- Copper-
nickel nickel