In this issue
We feature in these pages a mixed selection of technologies across the spectrum of materials finishing.
Investigation of electroless copper plating on polyurethane foam, as an initial step of open cell foam production process has been conducted by A. M. Fathi Dehkharghani and M. Divandari of School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology.
B. Niemczewski and Z. Kołodziejczyk from the Tele- and Radio Research Institute, Warsaw in Poland discuss further results in their work on chemical support of cavitation intensity in ultrasonic cleaning of components.
Shaojun Ren, Zhanwu Lei and Zenglin Wang (Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, P. R. China) report on a study of polyethylene glycol dodecyl ether as a suppressor on electroplated Cu via filling.
The formation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical techniques is comprehensively reviewed by F. C. Walsh et al., Southampton University. In this first part of a 2-part review they discuss the achieving of such surfaces by electrodeposition, anodising and electrophoresis.
W.-C. Sun and colleagues from College of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China report on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of electrolessly deposited Ni–P gradient coatings, improved with the addition of rare earth metal yttrium.
The influence of saccharin on the electrodeposition and properties, particularly the coercivity and magnetisation saturation, of Co–Ni alloy thin films has been studied by S. Tebbakh et al. (Universite´ de Se´tif, Algeria, Universite´ de technologie de Belfort-Montbe´liard (UTBM), and IPCMS, Universite´ de Strasbourg, France).
In addition two interesting industrial articles feature in this issue.
Field trial results of low frequency ultrasonic agitation in barrel electroplating are reported by A. J. Cobley (Coventry University) and two French colleagues, and data from a study on the prevention of nickel release from decorative nickel-chromium electroplated articles in the context of Allergic Contact Dermatitis, carried out in the Hong Kong Productivity Council are discussed by C. M. Whittington and HKPC co-authors.
IMFAir 2015 conference
At the time of writing, this event, organised by the IMF, has concluded and received much favourable comment. A report of the conference is being prepared and will be featured in the next issue of Transactions.
IMF and Industry News IMF News
Education and Training
Functional Plating Short Course
This tutored course is designed to give students an understanding of the subject from basic principles to in-depth information needed by experience applicators.
It will benefit electroplaters, technicians, process engineers and also specifiers of deposits. Students do not require knowledge of science to take this course.
Selected units from the Foundation Certificate Course are used followed by two new sessions which includes comprehensive information on the most common types of functional plating deposits used for engineering applications in many engineering sectors.
The course is delivered in four tutored sessions; each of about 3 hour's duration and has a marked assignment.
A short multi-choice style test is held at the end of the course.
For further information please contact David at IMF, Exeter House, Tel: 0121 622 7387.
Institute's 90th birthday celebration
The IMF has been in existence, serving the industry and its people for 90 years, and is planning to hold a dinner dance on 9th October, 2015 to commemorate this achievement. It will be held at the Manor Hotel, Meriden, near the NEC, with tickets available for £10 each including entry into a raffle. Dress code is black tie, and hotel rooms can be booked at £75 per room.
For further information contact Helen Wood at the IMF, Exeter House, Tel: 0121 622 7387, or email [email protected].
IMF and Industry News Industry News
E. Braude (London) Ltd
Braude specialises in acid proof equipment for heating and cooling of corrosive liquids. The product range is used in various industries, including specialised ones such as Aerospace, using Surface Finishing. The range of heaters is additionally for solutions where corrosion resistance is not a requirement – The Polaris Neptune electric immersion heater was created for these processes where the full chemical resistance of Teflon is not a requirement.
They are available to suit single or three phase electrical supply. Where the standard heater dimensions are not suitable for your tank sizes, they can be made up in a suitable configuration to suit your installation.
For more information please contact the sales team either by phone on 01252 876123 or email [email protected].
Layton Technologies Flammable Solvent Cleaning Machine IG200
Layton Technologies' latest cleaning machine is designed to use safely an azeotropic blend of cyclohexane and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning electronic components to sub-micron level.
This azeotrope has been shown to be effective in removing a wide variety of contaminants since the alcohol's polar molecular chemistry results in the repulsion forces between particles and surface.
These forces tend to shield the effect of van de Waals forces and dissipate electrostatic forces to the extent that the alcohol is approximately twice as effective for the removal of sub-micron sized particles as water.
Cyclohexane, a solvent with physical properties akin to alcohol, is effective for removing organic films when used in similar equipment. Drying is carried out in the vapour phase and freeboard area below the sealed lid with components cleaned by immersion and/or spraying.
Further information Tel: +44 (0)1782 370400.
Xylan 5611... for Threaded Fasteners
Whitford Corporation's Xylan 5000 Series resists acid rain when used with threaded fasteners for the building, roofing or appliance industries where acid rain resistance is required (stampings, end caps, screws, roofing fasteners, transmission shafts).
Xylan 5611 is a zinc-rich primer formulated for applications using a dip-spin application technique. It enhances corrosion resistance provided by Xylan topcoats as measured in the Kesternich DIN 50018 acid rain test.
Contact: Whitford Corporation, 47 Park Avenue, Elverson, PA 19520, USA
Tel: (610) 286-3500, Fax: (610) 286-3510.
Powerstax
DP Energy Services (formally Drake Power) is now owned by Powerstax, one of Europe's main power solutions manufacturers. The Essex based company continues to supply high-reliability power systems for the many challenges equipment designers face to meet the many harsh environmental conditions needed to control surface finishing processes.
Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax, comments. “Drake is a great brand with an excellent range of products, some 50 years' experience of manufacturing transformers with more than 30 of those years making large power systems, and with the expertise Powerstax brings to Drake, we are anticipating rapid development of new products for traditional and emerging markets and greater opportunities for growth”.
Powerstax-Drake transformer-rectifiers offer output rectifier units from 2V up to 600V, output currents to 5,000A, and output power up to 1000kVA and beyond.
Systems can be oil, air or water cooled and can be sealed up to IP65 if the environmental dictates with purge and pressure systems and heat exchangers incorporated if desired.
For further information contact Powerstax direct on Tel: +44 (0) 1252 407800 or email [email protected].
IMF and Industry News Forthcoming conferences and exhibitions
Surface World Exhibition
23–24 September 2015, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
Major event for the Surface Finishing and Treatment Industry
Includes free seminar and free exhibition directory.
Book now for your exhibition stand.
Contact Nigel Bean - 011442 826826 or Email: [email protected].
Surface Engineering & Heat Treatment Industry Conference 2015
Friday 16 October 2015, Stratford Manor Hotel, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon Avon, CV37 OPY.
Organised by the Surface Engineering Association in partnership with the CHTA and Wolfson.
It is the first national event with an associated exhibition encompassing heat treatment in England for over ten years.
For offers of conference presentations or request for exhibition table top space please contact Diana Blair at the SEA, Tel: 0121 237 1123 or Fax: 0121 237 1124.