Reverse electrolysis removes the nickel for sure. Now all I need is some croc clips that don’t dissolve ☹️?
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Reverse electrolysis removes the nickel for sure. Now all I need is some croc clips that don’t dissolve ☹️?
They are available in stainless steel, but I seem to recall using stainless on a cathode can leach hexavalent chromium into the bath so it's probably not the best idea.
Pretty much anything you use on the anode is going to dissolve. Might be worth just buying a bag full of cheap ones from Aliexpress. They are available in nickel plated steel, raw copper or brass if you look around. Maybe experiment to see what lasts longer?
That’s the plan. I have never done this before. There are a lot of small parts that I would like to hang from something so I can batch. But I don’t have any idea so far how to dip the main body. I am using glass vessels because they are inert, but I will need something else for the body. Oh well, it’s interesting to do, and I can go on building my M18 batteries with 21700 cells while it cooks. Speaking of AliExpress.Quote:
Originally Posted by BradC;[URL="tel:3254860"
I will be using the solder, Brad. Life has been getting in the way lately.
also have to practice the solo part that my choir wants me to do ????*?
John if you rush the chef you get a lousy meal. Prep and practice are key and good prep takes time. I'm in no hurry to see how it turns out.
I do wonder if you are going to do lots of stripping whether or not you can just hang the things with a loop of copper wire. The copper is going to dissolve but it's cheap and easy enough to get as to be disposable.
What electrolyte are you using?
2:3 hydrochloric to distilled water. 5 volts and 4 amps. I’m starting out with small parts so as not to destroy the whole thing. It’s working so far but I do see what you mean about copper bloom. Attachment 194744
Given you only need "a conductive solution" try bicarb or sodium hydroxide instead of HCl. You're looking to pull the plating into the solution. HCl will do that, but it'll also preferentially attack the zinc in the brass. A basic solution should do that less.
It would also have the advantage of being cheaper, and possibly less painful ?
I guess it would also mean that I could use a plastic tub for the big bits.
If bicarb isn't conductive enough, pool pH increaser (sodium carbonate) is the next step. Sodium hydroxide will attack zinc, although it has to be pretty strong.
I've used both for electrolytic rust removal because I keep both around for the pool.
