Plating on Aluminium using an Iron inter layer: Part I- Application of an Iron inter-layer with subsequent flash-plating of copper or brass

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 previously by the authors. Experiments on plating of aluminium using an initial coating of iron were carried out and the effect of intermediate electro-deposition 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 on aluminium is satisfactory as judged by the usual qualitative adhesion tests.