PMD (UK) LTD PROCESSDATA CUBRITE 2-03/03

PMD (UK) Lt d, Broad Lane, Covent ry, CV5 7AY, England. Telephone 024 7646 6691 Fax 024 7647 3034 ISSUE 3
Web Sit e: www.pmdgroup.co.uk Email: sales@pmdgroup.co.uk PREV 2

PMD CUBRITE 2
DECORATIVE BRIGHT ACID COPPER

INTRODUCTION
PMD Cubrite 2 produces brilliant mirror bright copper deposits with excellent
levelling over a wide current density range. Cubrite 2 is formulated for decorative
applications including plating on plastics. Base metals such as mild steel,
tin/lead or zinc can also be plated providing they are first flash coated with a
cyanide copper or nickel deposit. The solution is easy to control using three
liquid additives.

BENEFITS
Excellent levelling

Mirror Bright deposits

SOLUTION MAKE-UP
PMD Cubrite 2 is supplied as a Base Solution to which chloride and additives are
added as detailed below.

It may also be made up from basic chemicals as described below:

Copper sulphate pentahydrate 200 g/l

Sulphuric acid (pure S.G. 1.84) 38 ml/l
Sodium chloride or hydrochloric acid to
chloride content of: 75 ppm
PMD Cubrite 2 Replenisher 10 ml/l
PMD Cubrite 2 Brightener 0.3 ml/l
PMD Cubrite 2 Leveller 0.7 ml/l
Deionised water to volume

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OPERATING DATA
Optimum Range

Copper sulphate 200 g/l 190-210 g/l

Sulphuric acid (S.G. 1.84) 70 g/l 60 - 80 g/l
Chloride 75 ppm 50-100 ppm
Temperature 25 deg C 20-30 deg C
Current density 4.0 A/dm2 2.0-7.5 A/dm2
(40 A/ft2) (20-75 A/ft2)
Agitation Vigorous air
Voltage 3 to 6 volts
Extraction Recommended

EQUIPMENT

All acid copper processes are extremely corrosive to equipment therefore all
vulnerable items such as dosing pumps and electronic controls should be protected
in plastic cases or sealed cabinets. Structural frameworks should be coated in
plastic or other suitable anti-corrosion finishes. Cleanliness and regular
maintenance are essential.

Tanks Polypropylene, PVC, Lined steel tanks.

Heating PTFE or titanium clad electric immersion heaters.

Cooling May be required in high throughput tanks. Use chilled

water running through titanium tubes or wide-bore PTFE
coils. Under no circumstances should cooling coils be
attached directly to mains water supplies.

Agitation Vigorous low pressure air through plastic agitation

pipes.

Filtration Continuous through 1 to 5 micron. A minimum of three

solution turn-overs per hour is recommended.

Anodes 0.03 - 0.08% Phosphorised copper with titanium hooks

or copper pieces in titanium anode baskets.
Polypropylene or Terylene woven anode bags which
have been thoroughly leached in hot water
should be used. Note that other types of anode material
can cause dull deposits and very high brightener
consumption.

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INSTALLATION

It is essential that the equipment to be used for PMD Cubrite 2 Decorative Bright
Acid Copper is cleaned and leached thoroughly before any product is added.

If in any doubt as to the cleaning procedure contact PMD (UK) Ltd., Technical
Department.

1. Three quarters fill the tank with deionised water.

2. Slowly add the sulphuric acid while stirring continuously or using mild air
agitation. Wear safety goggles and protective clothing. The solution will get
warm.

3. Add the correct weight of copper sulphate crystals and agitate until dissolved
completely.

4. Allow solution to cool to 25°C.

5. Clean the anodes by scrubbing or wash in detergent. Rinse thoroughly.

Place in clean, leached anode bags and place in tank.

6. Make up to working volume with deionised water.

7. Electrolyse the solution for a minimum of 2 hours with mild air agitation at
approximately 1.0 A/dm2 (10A/ft2) using a large area of corrugated thin metal
sheet which has been appropriately cleaned and given a cyanide copper
flash. Check the anodes periodically to ensure they have developed a thin
chocolate brown or black film.

8. Add separately the PMD Cubrite 2, Replenisher, Brightener and Leveller and
mix thoroughly between each addition.

9. Analyse for chloride ion concentration. Make-up, if required, to 75 ppm.

(2.4ml of pure 1.18 S.G. Hydrochloric acid per 100 litres of solution = 10 ppm
chloride ion).

10. Apply vigorous air agitation and commence plating.

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MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL
The solution should be regularly analysed for copper, sulphuric acid and chloride.
See analysis methods.

Brighteners

Cubrite 2 Brightener should be added at 20-30 ml per 1000 amp-hours. Cubrite 2

Replenisher should be added at 40-60ml per 1000 amp hours.

Cubrite 2 Replenisher is the primary grain refiner and high current density
brightener.

Cubrite 2 Leveller should be added at 60-80ml per 1000 amp hours.

SOLUTION PURIFICATION
While additive breakdown does not cause problems, organic and inorganic
contamination can build up after prolonged use. If such contamination occurs it will
be necessary to purify the solution as follows:-

1. Pump solution into spare tank.

2. Add 0.125ml/L of 35% hydrogen peroxide and agitate the solution for 1 hour.
3. Heat the solution to 55 deg C.
4. Add 5g/L activated carbon.
5. Maintain temperature and agitate the solution for two hours.
6. Switch off the heating and the agitation and allow the carbon to settle.
7. Pump the clear solution back into the plating tank through the filter.
8. Analyse the solution to ensure that copper sulphate, sulphuric acid and
chloride concentrations are at optimum levels. Make additions where
necessary.
9. Add the organic additives as for a new solution and thoroughly mix solution.
10. Carry out Hull Cell tests.

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ANALYSIS METHODS

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1. Determination of Free Sulphuric Acid

Reagents

1N sodium hydroxide solution (standard volumetric solution)

Method

1. Pipette 10 ml of plating solution into a 450 ml conical flask. Add at least 150
ml of deionised water.

2. Titrate the dilute solution slowly with 1N sodium hydroxide solution until the
first signs of permanent turbidity are apparent in the liquid.

3. Record titre = t x mls

Calculation

t x 4.9 = g/l sulphuric acid

Replenishment

For every 1g/L low add 0.54ml/L sulphuric acid SG 1.84

2. Determination of Copper Content

Reagents

0.1M E.D.T.A. (standard volumetric solution)

0.5% Alizarin Complexone in 1% ammonium acetate.
Sodium acetate/acetic acid buffer solution - pH 4.3 (105g and 100ml respectively in
1 litre).

Method

1. Pipette 2ml of the plating solution into a 250ml flask and add 10ml deionised
water.
2. Add sufficient buffer to turn the solution to a light bluish-green colour.
3. Add 8 drops of the Alizarin indicator and titrate with 0.1 M E.D.T.A. to a green
end-point.
4. Record titre = t mls

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Calculation

t x 3.177 = g/l copper

t x 12.476 = g/l copper sulphate

Replenishment

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 For every 1g/L low in Copper Sulphate add 1g/L copper sulphate

3. Determination of Chloride Ion Concentration

Reagents

50% nitric acid

0.1N silver nitrate (standard volumetric solution)
0.01N mercuric nitrate. (Dissolve exactly 1.083g mercuric oxide in 5 ml of 1 : 1 nitric
acid and dilute to 1 litre. This solution need not be standardised).

Method

1. Pipette 50 ml of plating solution into a 200 ml tall beaker, add 30 ml of water

and 20 ml of 50% nitric acid.
2. Add enough 0.1N silver nitrate to produce turbidity (usually 3 drops) and
immediately titrate with standard mercuric nitrate by dropwise additions with
constant stirring until the turbidity just clears.
3. Record titre = t mls

Calculations

t x 7.1 =ppm of chloride ion

Replenishment

For every 10ppm low add 0.024 ml/l concentrated HCI (SG 1.18)

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TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

PROBLEM REASON REMEDY

Mat deposit within low Bath temperature too high Lower the current density
current density area. (above 30°C) or cool down

Sulphuric acid content too Adjust sulphuric acid to

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 low nominal value

General decrease of Chloride content too low Analyse for chloride and
brightness adjust with hydrochloric
acid if required

Sulphuric acid content too Adjust sulphuric acid to

low nominal value

Temperature too high Lower current density, cool

down

Lack of brightener Add brightener in steps of

0.2ml/L

Lack of leveller Add leveller in steps of

0.2ml/L

Poor levelling Lack of leveller Add leveller in steps of

0.2ml/L

Surplus of chloride ions Treat the electrolyte with

zinc dust or 1% silver
sulphate solution

Burning Lack of chloride ions Analyse for chloride and

adjust with hydrochloric
acid if required

Bath temperature too low Raise temperature

Current density too high Reduce current density

Copper concentration too Addition of copper sulphate

low

Lack of brightener Addition of brightener in

steps of 0.2ml/L

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Pores Air supply uneven Modify air distribution

Air quantity too low Increase air quantity to at

least 200L/m2 bath surface
per minute

Air bubbles are too small Adjust air supply for bigger
air bubbles (by regulation of
the air supply, modification

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 of air holes)

Lack of Replenisher Addition of Replenisher in

steps of 0.5ml/L

Pits Anode sludge suspending Filtration of bath, change

anode bags

Copper anodes do not Check phosphor content of

contain enough phosphor copper anodes, nominal
(red anode sludge) value: 0.03-0.08% P (a
black to brownish-black film
must adhere to the anodes)

Polishing compounds on Improve cleaning

base material

Nodules Lack of chloride ions, also Analyse for chloride and

burning within high current adjust with hydrochloric
densities acid

Lack of Replenisher Add Replenisher in steps of

0.5ml/L

Lack of response to Bath is organically Purify bath

additives contaminated

Passive anodes High iron content (approx. Electrolyte must be

20g/L changed

High chloride content Work through. Remove the

anodes and brush
frequently

Copper content too high Dilute bath

(copper sulphate crystals
on the anode)

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DISPOSAL

Dispose of in accordance with local authority requirements.

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PRODUCT FAMILIES

The following products or product families are referred to in this data sheet.

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 Product Name Product Number

PMD Cubrite Base Solution 567003

PMD Cubrite 2 Brightener (25Kg) 567009
PMD Cubrite 2 Brightener (5Kg) 567010
PMD Cubrite 2 Replenisher (25Kg) 567005
PMD Cubrite 2 Replenisher (5Kg) 567006
PMD Cubrite 2 Leveller (25Kg) 567007
PMD Cubrite 2 Leveller (5Kg) 567008

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Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure that the information given in this data
sheet is correct, PMD (UK) Limited gives no warranty, express or implied, relating to the
use or performance of this product.

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