This newsletter can be found on both LDC's web
page, www.ldcbrushplate.com and WRA's web page. WRA archives past issues for easy
reference. Visit us at www.wrainc.com or e-mail us at coatings@wrainc.com with your
comments. We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Wade Wood
LDC Exhibits/AS3 Show:
May 1-3, 200 1, LDC will be exhibiting at the Aviation
Services & Suppliers Super Show being held in the Long Beach Convention and
Entertainment Center, Long Beach, Ca. We invite everyone to attend and discuss
applications, our newer products or just stop by and say hello.
Personnel from LDC (Cleveland) and WRA (California) will be on hand in the booth. We
will be at booth # 846. We have free exhibit admission tickets ($35 at the door). Just
call us at LDC and request the number of tickets you will need. See you there!
Updates/Alerts:
The EPA agreed to a full question and answer public meeting held in
Chicago, III concerning the EPA's new proposed regulations relating to "Metal
Products And Machinery". The EPA proposal would drastically escalate costs for
finishers, the EPA seeks a 50-80% lower reduction of metals in discharged waste water.
According to EPA estimates provided, approximate cost per facility to comply with the
new rule would be $150,000.
Proposed regulations include a discussion of "Pollution Prevention Practices/Best
Management Practices Alternative". The EPA is requesting comments on this alternative
that would allow metal finishing facilities to continue to comply with the existing
federal standards under 40 CFR # 413 & # 433, provided the facility could demonstrate
the implementation of several pollution prevention and best management practices.
For more information on the proposed MP&M regulation, please contact Christian
Richter or Jeff Hannapel with the Government Relations office at (202) 965-5190.
We will keep you updated as things develop.
LDC Process-Components
( 1st. of a series)
Anode Wrap Materials:
Many veteran platers are familiar with the variety of materials
available and are utilizing the one best suited for their application.
However, some brush platers are probably using the material that was supplied with
their initial plating installation assuming no other options exist.
The truth is, the plater is in the best position to determine which wrap is best suited
for that particular application.
We will present the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of LDC wrap
products. By providing this information, we hope to improve your brush plating results.
The anode wrap is also called a plating tool cover. Regardless of the name, it serves
the following purposes:
1. Insulates the anode, preventing a direct electrical short (avoids arc
damage). This insulation effect ensures that the electrical current will flow thru the
solution.
2. Abrades the surface of the part being plated to assist in sound deposits and high
deposition rates.
3. Holds/distributes the solution uniformly between the part and the anode.
It is very important that only approved anode wrap materials be used when brush plating
with LDC solutions. All LDC wrap materials are of a high degree of purity. Using the wrong
material, contaminated materials containing lubricants or stiffening agents will have a
disastrous effect on the adhesion and quality of the deposit.
LDC offers a wide range of wrap materials, they are categorized into three groups:
1. An "Initial Wrap" - normally highly absorbent, holds and distributes the
solution. Will require a final wrap to provide for wear resistance.
2. A "Final Wrap"- Acts as the top layer over the initial wrap. Provides the
wear resistance and some surface abrasion.
3. A "Combination Wrap" - Can be utilized by itself, provides the
characteristics of both an initial and final wrap.
LDC has carefully selected the approved wrap materials and recommends
that their use be based on a set of performance factors. These factors are purity of
material, compatibility with chemicals, absorbency, wear resistance and abrasiveness. A
clarification of a few is as follows:
Absorbency--How well the material picks up, holds and helps to uniformly distribute the
solution. Highly absorbent materials can be used in most applications whether you are
dipping the anode or pumping the solution. Materials with poor absorbency should not be
used without pumping and solution fed anodes.
Wear Resistance--Wraps with a high wear resistance are very important during actual
plating operations, especially ones that are of a long duration.
Abrasiveness--This factor is critical with "Final Wraps". The wrap has
constant contact with the plating surface and the abrasive action reduces deposit stress
and assists in longer uninterrupted plating cycles.
Anode Sleeves:
Sleeve material is used as a combination wrap because it has high
purity, good absorbency and high wear resistance. The biggest advantage is convenience of
use. LDC offers the pre-sewn sleeve for many of the standard size anodes. The customer
only has to slip them over the anode and start plating. They are not recommended for any
lengthy plating operation. LDC also offers this sleeving material in sheet form for those
customers that want to make their own wraps.
We hope this short review of anode wrap materials will help in the selection of a
proper wrap for the task. In our next issue we will review the types of materials.
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