Copper Plating FAQ

1) What is copper plating?

Copper plating is the process of coating of a substance with copper by an electrolytic process, to minimize corrosion. There are three basic types of processes: Acid, Alkaline Non-Cyanide, and Cyanide.

2) What are the benefits of EPI's copper plating chemicals?

Non-Cyanide Alkaline Copper Plating
(Products Available: E-Brite Ultra Cu, E-Brite 30/30, E-Brite 20/20)

• Outstanding Adhesion
• Formulated for zinc die cast
• Large operating window
• One maintenance agent
• For rack and barrel
• No carbonates
• Less expensive than other plating processes
• Fire departments prefer non cyanide metal finishing shops
• Insurance companies prefer non cyanide
• Homeland Security Chemical Security Appendix A list sodium and potassium cyanide limit as 2000 pounds
• Save money with waste treatment costs

Acid Copper Plating
(Products Available: E-Brite 200, E-Brite 202G, E-Brite 203, E-Brite PC,
E-Brite Ultra AC)

• Superior Distribution
• Guards against surface cut-through during polishing
• Tolerates high temperatures
• Reduces carbon treatments
• Easy to control
• Exceptional bright ductile deposit with low internal stress
• Ideal for plating plastics
• Easy to buff
• Less expensive than other plating processes

Cyanide Copper Plating
(Product Available: E-Brite 23-11)

• Extremely versatile
• Large operating window
• High speed bath
• Excellent throwing and covering power
• Greater thickness can be obtained in less time with greater efficiency
• Less expensive than other plating processes
• High resistance to tarnishing

3) Why use Non-Cyanide Alkaline Copper Plating?

The use of non-cyanide alkaline copper plating eliminates the inherent dangers of cyanide in the workplace, including: the catastrophic accidental acidification of cyanide, the harmful chemicals used to treat cyanide and the dangers of cyanide if a fire occurs. It reduces the waste treatment costs for destroying cyanide along with fire and liability insurance premiums.

Non-cyanide alkaline copper plating can be installed in existing plates. With the non-cyanide process one bath serves as both the strike and plate bath.

Non-cyanide alkaline copper solutions have better throwing power (uniform deposit thickness) than acid-copper and cyanide copper solutions. The grain is smaller than cyanide copper which increases the density of the deposit. This density provides excellent heat treat stop off and masking properties. The soft deposit imparts improved adhesion and corrosion resistance and greatly improved resistance to thermal shock.

4) What types of things do you copper plate?

• Pre-plating or undercoating metals
• Wire and grounding rods
• Printed circuit boards
• Decorative coating for rivets, buttons, lighting, plumbing fixtures, etc.

5) Who uses copper plating chemicals?

• Ammunition Manufacturers
• Appliance Industry
• Architectural Industry
• Auto Industry
• Camping and Hunting
• Collars/Coupling Industry
• Fastener Industry
• Hardware Industry
• Metal Stampers
• Military Components
• Power Hand Tool Manufacturer
• Recreational Vehicle Industry
• Tool & Die Industry
• Tube Cutters/Fabricators

6.) What metals can be copper plated?

• Steel & stainless steel
• Brass
• Copper
• Zincated aluminum
• Electroless nickel
• Die cast zinc
• Magnesium

7.) How do I order copper plating from EPI?

Call 1-262-786-9330 to order E-Brite Copper Plating Chemicals, or use our online request form to request a sample or send us your parts. Click here to read more information about our copper plating process.