EXPERTS IN SPECIALTY CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING

Electroplating is a science as well as an art. The Process involves the flow of direct current between cathode and anode in an electrolytic solution thus transferring metal ions from one end to another for plating. However, due to the presence of current density, the water molecules also disintegrate to form hydrogen and #oxygen gas which gets deposited on the surface of the electrode.
Deposition of gas causes variation in current density leading to pitting during the electroplating process. To avoid the same wetting agents come into play which ensures that due to the #surfactant action of the wetting agent the angle of contact between electrode and gas molecule becomes zero thus releasing the gas from the electrode before the size of the bubble increases.
 
Generally, plating teams use diesel or kerosene for cleaning the electrode of "The Job" as they state. Use of diesel has problems of evaporation of oil which is harmful to operators, secondly, the presence of oil in the electrolyte bath causes foaming as well.
 
To cater to the above issues use of wetting and cleaning agents is always recommended. Most commonly used wetting agents are carbon chains of 8-18 molecules whilst for nickel plating the best results are obtained with wetting agents using carbon chain of 6-9 molecules. Thus, Sodium 2-Ethylhexyl Sulphate becomes a universal answer having 8 carbon chain and giving best results for all kinds of applications. For processes where air agitation is used the use of POLLY EHS ensures a reduction in foaming owing to its neutral pH characteristics. POLLY EHS is highly stable does not disintegrate due to high current densities.
For plating processes which are free from Nickle use of POLLY GSP gives great results by ensuring wetting, and leveling of current density.