Training Course in Electroplating & Surface Finishing

Course Objectives

A more advanced study of surface finishing and its technologies, this course covers 22 subjects in four days of instruction.

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Note: While it is not necessary to take any AESF Foundation course to be eligible to sit for the respective exam that could lead you to becoming a Master Surface Finisher (MSF), this course covers electroplating and surface finishing, which is one of the required subject areas for obtaining MSF certification.

Target audience: Plating shop personnel and representatives of suppliers who want a more thorough understanding of finishing processes. Those who would benefit from the introduction course to electroplating and surface finishing would gain from this one as well, as would managers, QC personnel, researchers and chemists.

Prerequisites: Background in chemistry or electrochemistry helpful

This four-day course provides a comprehensive overview of numerous plating processes and their associated sciences. Provides a clear understanding of metal finishing technology, permitting the student to understand specifications, avoid routine finishing problems, evaluate product output, and expediently resolve process difficulties.

After completion of the course, attendees should:

Understand basic chemistry, including atomic structure, elements, molecules, pH, acids, bases, vital equations, neutralization, oxidation-reduction, reaction kinetics, analysis, titration, atomic weight, critical calculations associated with process solutions;

Understand the relationship of electricity and the typical equations involved in surface finishing as they concern rectification, electrical connections, resistance, voltage, amperage, measuring meters, and special electrical equipment;

Have a basic knowledge of electrochemistry (potentials, galvanic series, electromotive force series, plating cell, current distribution, overvoltage, polarization, and calculations critical to thickness and current density determination;

Know the importance of each step in the finishing process (cleaning, pickling, rinsing and drying); understand effective rinsing techniques and water conservation;

Understand the major deposition systems and applications for each: acid zinc chloride, non-cyanide zinc and cyanide zinc plating solutions, cyanide and bright acid copper, nickel plating, decorative and hard chromium, electroless deposition, and precious metals—gold, silver, palladium, etc.

Know how to test and evaluate electrodeposits;

Be able to select deposit capabilities with respect to the needs of the application and consider alternative cost-effective and functional deposits;

Understand the principles of anodizing aluminum processes, including sealing and evaluation of the final coating;

Be able to perform process controls such as Hull Cell testing, carbon treatment, and filtration;

Know when and how to use chromate conversion coatings and phosphating;

Understand corrosion mechanisms and preventive steps;

Be familiar with the technology of cyanide and chromate waste treatment, as well as specialized handling and disposal of the resultant sludge;

Know safe and responsible handling of chemicals; the use of proper protective clothing and/or equipment; and emergency first-aid instructions;

Understand various metallurgical processes (such as stamping, casting, forging, rolling, die casting, metal drawing, extrusions, powder metallurgy, hot- or cold-working, and case hardening of metals) and their effect on the surface finishing process;

Understand the basic theory of alloy plating and various alloy plating processes, including zinc-nickel and zinc-cobalt (acid and alkaline), tin-zinc, zinc-iron, copper-zinc alloys (brass) and other commercial alloys;

Be able to pass the optional CEF exam (the foundation exam that must be passed before MSF certification can be completed).