Ronuk Industries

FEZINK 002 - For Barrel Plating

FEZINK is an alkaline zinc iron alloy plating system, which has been formulated to meet the market demand for the improved corrosion performance which this type of process can provide. In particular it is able to provide a consistent black finish without the use of silver containing passivates.

Features	Benefits
Good non-silver black passivate finish	Gives superior corrosion protection when compared protection with black passivated zinc.
Consistent Alloy Composition	Even passivation colour, fewer rejects.
Excellent covering power	Allows minimum plating thickness to be achieved without excessive zinc deposits at high current densities.
Wide operating parameters	Ease of use.
Excellent adhesion	Allows post plate deformation.

1.0 SOLUTION MAINTENANCE:

1.1 PARAMETERS:

Zinc	14-17 g/l
Sodium Hydroxide	130-150 g/l
Iron	80-120 ppm
FEZINK Solid Complex	30 g/l
Temperature	25-30°C
Current Density Cathode	0.5-1.5 A/Sq.dm
Current Density Anode	0.75-2.0 A/Sq. dm
Agitation	See 3.0
Filtration	See 3.0

1.2 MAINTENANCE

Zinc

It is recommended that this be maintained by chemical zinc dissolution. It is preferred that this is carried out in a separate dissolution tank via a circulating pump. It is controlled by analysis (see 4.1).

Sodium Hydroxide SF41034

Added as required: see analysis 4.2.

Iron

This is maintained by FEZINK Iron Additive. The addition rate is normally
1.0-2.0 lts/10KAH, but the exact rate should be determined by analysis. 1 ml/l of the iron additive is equivalent to 32-ppm iron.

FEZINK INITIAL ADDITIVE

This is only added on the recommendation of Ronuk Ind. Ltd.

FEZINC Barrel Brightener

This is normally added at 1.0-2.0 lts/10KAH.

FEZINK solid Complexor

This is normally added at 1.2-1.8 kg. per 10 KAH

2.0 SOLUTION MAKE-UP

2.1 TANK PREPARATION

The tank should be clean. It is recommended that the tank be leached in 1%
Sodium hydroxide solution overnight before use.

2.2 CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS

Zinc Oxide (see note 3 below) (min 99.5% pure)	22g/l
Sodium Hydroxide SF41034	130g/l
FeZinc solid Complex	30g/l
FEZINK 002 Iron Additive	3ml/l
FEZINK 002 Initial SF25607	7-8ml/l
FEZINK 002 Barrel Brightener SF25609	2-3ml/l
Water	to 1 litre

Procedure

1. Fill the tank to 25% of its total volume with water.

2. Add, with extreme care, using vigorous agitation the Sodium
Hydroxide, stirring until completely dissolved. (Since considerable
heat is evolved at this stage it is not recommended to make up a
solution in plastic tanks, steel tanks are preferred).

3. Whilst the solution is hot, add with vigorous stirring, the zinc oxide
and stir until completely dissolved. The soluble zinc content may also
be achieved by chemical dissolution of zinc domes in steel cages.
Details from Ronuk Ind. Ltd.

4. Dilute the solution to 66% of its final volume with water, taking great
care when adding the water, and stirring continuously.

5. When the temperature is less than 300C add in order the FEZINK
Solid Complex SF25603 solid, the FEZINK 002 Iron Additive
SF25604, the FEZINK Initial, and FEZINK 002
Brightener. The solution should be stirred throughout these additions.

6. Make up to volume with water.

7. Electrolyse for a minimum of 24 hrs at 1.5-2.0 A/Sq.dm (on cathode
sheets) before use, or electrolyse using scrap barrel loads at normal
working current.

3.0 PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Tank : Mild steel, mild steel linked with rubber, PVC, polythene or
polypropylene are acceptable. It is recommended that a separate
zinc dissolution tank is used, and that the solution is weired off from
the production tank. For more details please contact Ronuk Ind. Ltd.
Technical Centre.

Agitation: Barrel rotation is sufficient.

Filtration: This is recommended.

Anodes: Low carbon, chromium free mild steel anodes are preferred.

Heating: Heating may be required to ensure that the temperature does not fall
the optimum recommended operating temperature. Mild steel, steam
or hot water coils are preferred. Alternatively, steel sheathed
electrical immersion heaters may be used.

Cooling: This is necessary. Mild steel coils operating with chilled water should
be used.

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT COOLING COILS DIRECTLY TO THE MAINS WATER SUPPLY.

4.0 ANALYSIS

4.1 ZINC

Reagents
0.05M EDTA Standard Solution
Chloral Hydrate
pH 10 Buffer solution made up as follows:
Ammonium Chloride BP 40 g
Ammonium Hydroxide 0.88 S.G. 200 mls
Water to 1 litre

Procedure
1. Pipette a 5.0 ml sample of plating solution into a 250 ml conical flask.
2. Add 50 ml buffer solution, pH 10.
3. Add 50 ml-distilled water
4. Add a trace of Erichrome Black T Indicator
5. Add enough solid Chloral Hydrate to saturate the solution.
6. Titrate with 0.1M EDTA until the colour of the sample changes from
red to blue.

Zinc metal = titre x 0.655 g/l Zinc

The zinc content should be controlled by increasing or decreasing the
area of zinc anodes chemically dissolving to either raise or lower the
zinc.

4.2 SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Reagents
1.0M Hydrochloric Acid
BDH 1113 Indicator

Procedure
1. Pipette a 5 ml sample of plating solution into a 250 ml conical flask.
2. Add 25 ml of distilled water.
3. Add a few drops of BDH 1113 Indicator.
4. Titrate with 1.0M HCL solution until the colour has changed from red
to yellow (a precipitate will form during the titration, this should be
ignored).

Sodium Hydroxide = titre x 8.0 g/l Sodium Hydroxide

The sodium hydroxide is mainly lost by drag-out only. The frequency
of the analysis should be adjusted to take account of operating
conditions to prevent an excessive drop in concentration.

4.3 RON AND COMPLEXANT CONTENT

These can be determined by instrumental analysis. Ronuk Ind. Ltd. can advise on suitable equipment and methods if required.

5.0 SAFETY IN HANDLING AND USE

Refer to relevant Material Safety Data Sheets.

6.0 EFFLUENT

It is recommended that waste water treatment is carried out to conform to the specific requirements of the local authority. Advice on how to meet these requirements, once known, can be obtained from Ronuk Ind. Ltd.

Any information given here relating to Health & Safety should be regarded as general advice and is not to be regarded as comprehensive or definitive.

Every user should also be in possession of Safety Data Sheets for each individual product/chemical used.
These are available for all products sold by Ronuk Ind. Ltd.

All statements, information and data contained herein are published as a guide and although believed to be accurate and reliable (having regard to the manufacturers practical experience) neither the manufacturer, licensor, seller nor publisher represents or warrants, expressly or implied (1) their accuracy/reliability (2) that the use of the product(s) will not infringe third party rights (3) that no further safety measures are required to meet local legislation. All sales by the manufacturer/seller are based on their respective conditions of sale available on request.