Small brass pieces such as screws, nuts and many others that require copper plating either to remain copper or for other black finishes.

If one tries to copper-plate them in a brass mesh plating -basket direct in the acid copper solution after the usual cleaning, one would not get very far. I have tried it and have had very little success. The parts that do not touch each other might receive a thin coating of copper, but when a large amount is put in the basket they cannot help touching one another, and it will be a hard proposition to get them to plate all over.

The best method I have found, and it works quite successful, is to hang the basket with the articles in the nickel tank first and give them a coating of nickel; leave them in until they are pretty well covered with nickel, then take them out and rinse in water and hang in acid copper solution. In about ten or fifteen minutes they will have a pretty fair coat of copper and can be blackened for jap bronze or anything they might call for. Of course, if there is a large quantity of this small work it would pay to put in a mechanical cyanide copper solution. I am speaking only of the shop that is not equipped with cyanide copper solution, either still or mechanical.

—JERRY DeGRAZIA,
Foreman Plater, McGill Mfg. Co., Valparaiso, Ind.

George B. Hogaboom

To many the learning of the methods for controlling the contents of electroplating solutions is considered a long, difficult task. The methods of analyses as outlined in a beginner’s book on chemistry are to a layman intricate and require more than ordinary skill to even comprehend enough to be of assistance in a practical way in a plating room. The symbols, equations, and chemical terms are viewed as a part of a strange, incomprehensible language that can only be understood by those who have been trained in the halls of learning where Latin, Greek, Egyptian hieroglyphics and mathematics are taught. This was confirmed by some who, realizing the value of chemistry as applied to electroplating, endeavored to study alone and without the aid of a laboratory.

There were others that sought the advice of trained chemists and were told that it would not be possible to gain the goal ought unless competent instruction was had in the fundamental principles of chemistry. It was difficult to find a suitable instructor. The chemist knew as little about the practical side of electroplating as the plater did about the principles of chemistry. Those who did attempt to teach planned a course of study similar to what they had been taught. It was considered essential that valence, the balancing of equations, the qualitative determination of unknown solutions and such things, be thoroughly understood before the gravimetric or volumetric analysis be studied. When it realized that it takes two years of a college course to prepare student for quantitative analysis the task before the plater was beset with many difficulties. Working all day as a plater, which means at times being a machinist, an electrician, an artist, a production supervisor, and above all, a good executive understanding how to teach and direct those who at times are almost unteachable, consumes mental and physical energy. To then give up the required hours of rest in evenings and Sundays to study the reaction of some chemical combination that never would be of practical value in a plating room, demands a sacrifice that many are not willing or even able to make.

The need of training in chemistry was clearly recognized. It was well known that with the advancements made in the electro-deposition of metals that unless the plater became adept enough to control the plating solutions by analysis that the chemist would replace him and that he would become an ordinary production man. This was already being done. Yesterday the manufacturer accepted plating troubles as unavoidable. Today he is seeking men trained in chemistry to operate his plating room. Tomorrow he will demand them. The knowledge that electroplating is no longer a mystery, and that solutions and methods of operation are subject to definite scientific laws is becoming more and more general. Soon it will be common knowledge, and to many platers this will be a crisis. In all crises, however, a way of action can always be found. As the development of electroplating was brought about by the platers themselves, as members of the A . E. S., it is not strange that a plater, rather than a chemist, should point out the way. This plater reasoned that it is not necessary to be a mechanical or combustion engineer to operate an automobile. A small kit of selected tools, a set of instructions and an instructor to teach the use of the tools and how to operate the driving mechanism converts a man into an automobile engineer. When troubles beyond comprehension develop, the garage with its expert engineers is available. The same plan is applicable to the electroplater. A small kit of tools glass ware—and chemical reagents—a set of instructions and an instructor to teach how to use the tools and how to interpret the results will convert a plater into an electroplating chemist. He need not know the fundamental principles of chemistry any more than a man driving a car need to know about the fundamental principles of combustion engineering. He need only to master the mechanics of the operations involved.

The Sizelove plan is to teach the plater the mechanics of analyses of plating solutions. Volumetric methods for analysis ;of all solutions used in the plating room have been worked out and published in the March, 1926, Monthly Review. The necessary beakers, pipettes, burettes and chemicals are easily obtainable.

The plan was tried out successfully in a vocational school and the average attendance of plating room foremen for a year was above 80 per cent, a direct contrast to the dwindling attendance of classes where fundamental principles of chemistry was taught. The plater students were given the necessary tools of glassware and reagents, a set of instructions, and Mr. Sizelove was the instructor. Standard solutions for titration were made and furnished the student; it was not necessary for him to master the details of making and checking these, although this instruction was available. In one term of 120 hours platers without any previous knowledge of chemistry became proficient enough in the mechanics of analysis to control the solutions in their plating room. As fast as the method for one solution was mastered it was put into practice and the old saying, “Practice makes perfect,” was never more true, and today these men control their solution, not by the rule of thumb but by actual chemical analysis.

The teaching of chemistry to platers, with a fagged brain, after a trying day’s work was a failure. The Sizelove plan is a success and in every branch classes should be formed and analysis of solutions taught by this method. It means not only progress but the only way by which the plater can successfully hold his job in the modern plating room. This plan will be the means of salvaging many men who will otherwise be retired in the near future.

It is recognized that all the members of the A. E. S. cannot attend the meetings of a branch society. There are many in places where distance prevents attendance. These platers are just as anxious to have the opportunity of learning how to control their solutions as their more fortunately situated brother platers. Neither is it possible for the branch societies to provide instruction for these platers. This has been recognized by the writer of this article. He, therefore, obtained the privilege of offering the facilities of the chemical laboratory under his supervision to all platers, members of the A. E. S. who cannot attend classes in chemistry. It has been found that if two full days are given to the study of each solution, under the Sizelove plan, sufficient knowledge can be obtained so that with practice in the plating room the plater can make the necessary analysis. The tools, the chemicals and personal instruction are available to foreman platers without any cost or obligation. This is done because it is realized that chemistry in electroplating is not coming, but is here, and that the plater who does not know how to control his solutions in a few years will be the “old timer” and if he loses his job it will be difficult to get another, the other plater applying will know what he should know—control of solutions. The Sizelove plan opens the way to better plating and will make platers more successful—and you— “to be or not to be, that is the question.” This is your opportunity. What is your answer?

David Ayres, Toronto Branch

Mr. President and fellow members, A. E. P. S., we will here try to give a few words of advice on the care of plating dynamos. In the first place we must consider that the dynamos in the plating room have the same relation to the rest of the equipment that the locomotive has to the express train. It is our source of power, and therefore should receive our first consideration, it should rest on a solid foundation, and as far as possible be free from vibration, and be run at the regular speed required by the manufacturer. There are no doubt a large number of machines that are still belt-driven, but we believe the motor-driven dynamos give by far the best results.

And now we come to the commutator and brushes, which we might say can be regarded as sort of barometer at times, what we mean by that is, suppose everything has been working smoothly in the plant for some considerable time, and then the commutator of your dynamo develops a bad case of sparking and you find the brushes are also cutting. We can be sure there is something wrong and should immediately look for the cause of the trouble. The first place to look is right at the commutator and brushes themselves, are the brushes equally divided on the surface of the commutator, at times a single brush will cause all the trouble by becoming loose, and consequently is worn uneven and should be taken out and ground to the proper level, this should be done on a fine emery wheel as near the diameter of the commutator as possible, the contact surface of your brushes will then correspond very nearly with the surface of commutator and will become adjusted more quickly, and your commutator will acquire that glaze which every plater likes to see, and here we might say something to lubrication. The usual plan is a piece of felt or something similar, slightly saturated with oil, which is allowed to rest on the lower set of brushes. The best lubricant that I have found is a mixture of beeswax and plum bago about equal parts of each. Just melt the beeswax and stir in the plum bago and let cool. I have found this very satisfactory, although paraffin wax can be used when beeswax is not available. Occasionally the glaze on the surface of commutator will become so pronounced that it becomes slightly insulated, a drop of oil rubbed across the surface or a very fine piece of sandpaper will do the trick.

Now we have done about all we can do in regard to commutator and brushes, and they continue to spark and cut, well must break for a short circuit or loose connection somewhere on tank rods, or possibly a careless operator has allowed a piece of work to drop in one of the tanks and leaves it there, it rest diagonally against the anodes, and when the bath is again loaded, some of the parts come in contact with piece submerged, the result is no end of trouble. I recall an occasion where this actually happened. We believe it to be a good method to give the dynamos a little attention at least once a day, be sure to oil regularly. In a number of plants the dynamos are enclosed in a room by themselves and are not allowed to be exposed to the moisture, and fumes from the plating room, or grit from the polishing room.

These are a few facts if followed, we feel sure will give good results.

For the last few years cadmium plating has had just recognition in the manufacturing world, on account of its rust resisting qualities, its quickness of deposition and the fact that metal does not have to be heavily plated in order to withstand the various changes in atmosphere and climate to which so many articles are subjected, after they leave the factory. When we consider that 1 mil. of cadmium plate equals 3 of zinc, it would seem that cadmium plated parts would soon be in universal favor. The automobile industry should be especially interested in this process inasmuch as exposed parts, such as bumper bars, radiator shells, etc., have been the cause of considerable criticism in the past, because of the failure of nickel plate to “stand up” under ordinary conditions. Here we have a deposit which has proved its worth, held its own under severe chemical tests and will long outlast other electro deposits when exposed to atmospheric changes. Moreover a cadmium coating applied to enameled articles that can be plated is a guarantee that these articles will not rust, even should the enamel chip off. In a great majority of plating ‘rooms it has been customary to copper strike articles of steel and iron, previous to nickel plating. A light coat of cadmium is far better as a rust preventive and does not affect the nickel deposit or the appearance of the work after being color buffed. Work that requires no previous preparation in the polishing room will take a beautiful satin finish by being wire brushed after plating a coat of clear lacquer, being applied to ‘avoid marring the finish in handling. This is sometimes used as a substitute for silver, the deception being barely noticeable. Work that is cadmium plated by the barrel method, whether it be composed of brass, copper, iron or steel, can be made to take a beautiful silvery appearance by keeping an excess of sodium cyanide in the plating tank or by being ball rolled after plating. It might be well to mention that cadmium plate should not be used on cutlery and cooking utensils as the nature of the metal does not harmonize with the human organism, and there is a remote possibility that the use of cadmium on articles containing food in the home, might result in rather unpleasant after effects.

To the person who undertakes cadmium plating on a small scale, such as job shop work, the experiment would very likely prove a costly one, unless this particular finish is definitely requested, but to the manufacturer who has great quantities of work to be given a rust resisting treatment, cadmium plate should make a strong appeal. There are several reasons, first, it deposits very quickly, the time of deposition being three times at least faster than nickel and twice as fast as electro galvanizing, there is no peeling or blistering to contend with if work is properly cleaned, and if by chance some pieces of work should happen to be rejected by the Inspection Department, a few minutes in a hydro-chloric acid dip will remove the deposit, and leave the surface smooth and bright so that these same articles can be replated successfully without an extra buffing operation. Another advantage is that it is easier to control this solution than some others, there being but two chemicals to contend with. This should be a source of satisfaction to many platers who have had their nickel solutions fail them when the Production Department insisted that they couldn’t wait another minute for the work.

Moreover, this deposit does not require the amount of floor space for cleaning and plating tanks, etc., especially if a moving cathode machine is used.

Carefully considering these facts the logical conclusion is that even if the initial expense is greater as compared with nickel and if the chemicals and anodes used in cadmium plating cost more than a tank containing the same amount of nickel or zinc, the time saved, the amount of surface covered and the added protection of cadmium clearly proves its ultimate economy.

Regarding the process, cleaning is the most important factor in cadmium plating. This is the secret of all finishing, whether it be paint, lacquer, enameling or even soldering. Pickling or sandblasting should be resorted to wherever there is a scaly surface, everything in the nature of oil and grease should be removed in the usual way.

Anodes, too, are important in the proper functioning of this process, three times the amount of anode surface being neces-sary in the tank to the amount of material being plated. Fifteen per cent of iron is required also which can very easily be made a part of the anode by using strips of cold-rolled steel, 25 in. long, 1 in. wide and 1/4 in. thick, to which is fastened the cadmium disc, thus making a very substantial anode for a tank of ordinary dimensions.

The cadmium solution is made as follows, and is used with a current density of 30 amp. per square foot:

Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 gallons
Sodium Cyanide. . . . 85 pounds
Cadmium Oxide . . . . 28 pounds

The solution can be used either cold or hot. Where a cold solution is used there is a minimum of sodium carbonate and hydrocyanic gas formed. When the solution is heated, the gas fume thrown off becomes offensive and sometimes injurious to the operator and has to be carried off with a blower. Rubber gloves are also necessary in handling this solution as the mixture coming in contact with scratched or torn hands, causes painful sores and blisters.

A steel tank is preferable to wood, particularly in barrel plating as the solution very readily attacks anything of a nonferrous nature in the mechanical equipment. Barrels used in cadmium plating are short-lived especially when the solution is used “hot.” Celluloid panels simply dissolve. Wood panels become so saturated that they seem like pulp. The only material which seems to give any degree of satisfaction is micarta and this must have a fabric base instead of paper. Micarta also has its limitations unless the panels and framework are good and thick, with all the perforations it is possible to get into the panels. The manufacturer of plating supplies need not consider his work done until he can place in the plating room a real honest-to-goodness plating barrel, which will stand the test that the cadmium solution surely gives.

The time of plating depends upon the density of the solution and the nature of the material to be plated. As in other solutions, a large anode surface is necessary and more to be desired than the frequent adding of metal in oxide form to the solution. This also reduces the time of deposit so that a thickness of coating (.00025) should be deposited on any article in from ten to twelve minutes in a “still” solution and about thirty minutes in barrel plating.

After plating, all material should be thoroughly rinsed in clean, cold, running water, then in hot water, to which may be added a little whale oil soap, to prevent stains, (except when a subsequent lacquer or japan finish is to be applied). Small parts can be dried in sawdust or on a drying machine. Large pieces may be allowed to dry from the absorbed heat.

Tests should be made frequently for cyanide content, metal content and thickness of deposit, and are as follows:

Testing for Cyanide
Dissolve 14 grams of cadmium chloride in a little water. Add enough water to make one quart of solution. Take 5 c.c. of plating solution and put in a four-ounce bottle, fill the bottle one-third full with water and shake. Slowly add the testing solution to the diluted-plating solution with a small graduate until a distinct cloudiness appears and does not clear away. Each 5 c.c. of testing solution which is necessary to add to obtain the cloudiness means that there is one ounce of cyanide in the solution. The amount necessary to bring it up to standard can then be calculated. The solution should contain between six and seven ounces of cyanide to the gallon.

Testing for Metal
Dissolve 100 grams caustic soda in distilled water. Add 15 grams powdered sulphur and boil for a few minutes. Filter off any undissolved sulphur. Next, dilute the solution to one quart by using water. The solution is now ready for use.
To determine the metal content of plating solution, place 10 c.c. of the plating solution in one of the graduates, add 25 c.c. of the testing solution, shake thoroughly and let stand overnight. A yellow sediment will separate and settle in bottom of graduate. Each 2 c.c. of sediment means that there is in the plating solution one ounce of ‘metal. As the solution should contain at least two ounces of metal to the gallon, any deficiency can be calculated and the proper amount of cadmium oxide added.

Testing for Thickness of Deposit
To each 100 c.c. of hydrochloric acid (C. P. or commercial grade) which has been diluted to reach 1.135 specific gravity (17 degrees BE) add 5 c.c. of liquid butter of antimony. The butter of antimony must have a specific gravity of 1.6. The stripping solution is now ready. Place representative samples from each run in plating tank into the stripping or testing solution. As long as any cadmium remains on the article, a distinct bubbling will be seen. When the cadmium is gone, the bubbling ceases, which is to be taken as the finishing time. To be a satisfactory coating, the article being tested must bubble for forty seconds, which is equal to a thickness of coating of .00025. Not more than four samples should be dipped in the same stripping solution.

Cadmium plate is not as hard a deposit as nickel and will mar and scratch as easily as silver, it has moreover a tendency to stain easily so that the greatest care should be taken in rinsing after coming from the plating bath.

—WESTINGHOUSE ELEC. & MFG. CO., East Springfield Works, Mass.

The value of any publication depends upon whether the matter presented is of a nature that will gain the goal sought. The Monthly Review—the organ of the A. E. S., an educative organization—should contain that which will add to the knowledge of the members. There should not only be the reports of the meetings of the Branch Societies, which is of general interest, but original papers on subjects that represent the best thought of the day on new or improved practice. There should also be the “news” of the plating industry throughout the world. The word “Review” implies that. A reading of the matter presented would seem to indicate that there has been a “Monthly” rather than a “Monthly Review.”
In development work, in research work, in fact in the everyday shop work, it is of much importance to know what has been done or what the other fellow thought could be done. Valuable time and effort is spent in doing work that has been done and in a great many cases the data obtained has been published. There are inquisitive platers all over the world experimenting and collecting data just the same as many A. E. S. members. They are enthused with the self-same ambition to tell their fellow platers what they have done. There is the chemist also who, being interested in electricity and metallurgy, experiments with the electro-deposition of metals. His training enables him to observe and record things that so often pass unnoticed by those who daily come in contact with similar conditions. Such investigators take pride in contributing their results to the good work of advancing methods of operation in electroplating.

In nearly all fields of endeavor there are publications devoted to collecting and making known all the available work done along a special line. There is one notable exception, and that is, the direct field of electroplating.

Nothing could be more educative than to have the opportunity of reading a short review of the work done, the patents issued and the books published. Part of this is in a measure covered but more attention is given to original articles, which so often can be read in three or four different publications. This limits the amount of knowledge available to all the members of the society as it is only a few who have the privilege or opportunity of having access to all publications. To subscribe to all would be beyond the means of many.

This is a situation that should be met and corrected by the Monthly Review. In an endeavor to do so, a Publication Committee was appointed at the last convention. Plans are being formulated whereby all the available writings on electroplating, in a review form, will be placed before not only the platers who can attend branch meeting regularly but also be given to those less fortunately situated but who are just as thirsty for knowledge and just as anxious to be a well informed progressive plater.

This cannot be accomplished at once. It will require considerable work and, most of all, co-operation on the part of ;those who are able to assist. The start has been made and eventually the A. E. S. will have in reality a Monthly Review.

—Publishing Committee, A. E. S.

Q.--Are iron hooks or anything in iron detrimental to a silver solution?

A.--The members did not think so.

Q.--What is good formula for a cyanide copper solution?

A.--3 oz. copper cyanide, 3 1/4 oz. sodium cyanide, 1 oz. sodium carbonate. Per gallon. Heat to Fahrenheit 120 when working.

Q.--What is good for taking up excess acid in nickel plating solution?

A.--Nickel carbonate if metal content is low; magnesium carbonate if metal content is sufficient.

Henry Ford, in his concluding chapter of “The Great Today, the Greater Tomorrow” running in Boston Globe and New York American, says: “Morality is part of good management. The social effect of this morality finds expression in devoting business to the service of the whole people instead of to the service of the few. The spirit of service is just a knowledge that no man can survive, no industry can survive, no government can survive, no system of civilization can survive, which does not continually give service to the greatest possible manner. There is no way out from poverty except through work. The world has tried everything but work, and the hardest of all work must come in the management. The majority of labor troubles are caused by managers who have no first hand knowledge of labor.