Some experiments on plating on Aluminium using an Iron inter-layer

Articles consisting of aluminium or its alloys present more difficulty to the electroplater than those of other common engineering metals and alloys. They do not respond satisfactorily to many of the usual preparatory procedures for plating. "Conditioning” of the aluminium prior to plating is essential and important, e.g. careful cleaning and initial zinc coating, as described in the paper entitled “Chromium and Nickel Plating on Aluminium –Part _ by D.S.Tondon and T.Banerjee”. Experiments using an alternative initial coating of iron were carried out and the effect of intermediate deposits of brass or copper were studied, in relation to the properties of final plated layers of nickel and other metals. The adhesion of nickel plating (with or without subsequent chromium deposition) obtained by these means and under controlled conditions an aluminium is highly satisfactory as judged by the usual qualitative adhesion tests.