TROUBLE SHOOTING IN TRIVALENT CHROME PLATING

Problems

Causes

Solution

Dark streaks

Low TriCOL replenisher 300

Add slowly TriCOL replenisher 300  0.5-1 ml/l and Hull cell test

Low specific gravity

Adjust the tank density to standard 1.20-1.22. Adding 21 g/l of TriCOL T-Salts 100 will increase the density of the solution by 0.01 units.

Metallic contamination

Dummy 1-3 A/dm2, if the AAS analysis results show high impurity content, turn on the dummy combined ion exchanger.

Note if Ni2+ is high, it is necessary to increase washing after Nickel plating and change the washing tank regularly. Repeat setting up the spray washing system before entering the Cr3+ plating bath.

Organic contamination

Carbon Treat

 Low TriCOL Antimist 400

Add slowly TriCOL Antimist 400

Poor Coverage

 Low pH

Increase pH to standard range 2.8-3.2

Low specific gravity

Adjust the tank density to standard 1.20-1.22. Adding 21 g/l of TriCOL T-Salts 100 will increase the density of the solution by 0.01 units.

High temperature

Use the cooling system to adjust the temperature to 29-32⁰C

Low TriCOL CD Plus 500

Add slowly TriCOL CD Plus 500

Low current density

Adjust current density up to 10-12 A/dm2.

High aeration

Reduce aeration

Patchy White Deposit

Organic contamination

Carbon Treat

Dry-on of nickel plating solution

Transfer racks faster, increase rising time, lower nickel temperature. Delay current initiation in TriCOL plating bath

 Contaminated nickel rinses

Replace the nickel-plated rinse water tank, Run the ion exchange system to lower the concentration of Ni2+ ions to the allowable level.

 Zinc contamination

Dummy at current density range:1-3 A/dm2

Low plating speed (less than 0.2 µm/min)

Low current density

Adjust current density up to 10-12 A/dm2.

Low specific gravity

Adjust the tank density to standard 1.20-1.22. Adding 21 g/l of TriCOL T-Salts 100 will increase the density of the solution by 0.01 units.

Anodes coated

Check anodes and clean

 High pH

Adjust the pH in the range of 2.8-3.2

Low TriCOL replenisher 300

Add slowly TriCOL replenisher 300 0.5-1 ml/l and Hull cell test

Non-Uniform Thickness

 Low aeration

Increase agitation

 Low TriCOL Antimist 400

Add slowly TriCOL Antimist 400

Low TriCOL replenisher 300

Low: Add TriCOL replenisher 300 slowly add 0.5-1 ml/l then Hull cell test

High TriCOL replenisher 300

High: Carbon filter then Hullcell test

The anode area is not 1.5 times larger than the cathode.

Reduce the area to be coated or increase the anode area

Note: If there are errors other than the ones mentioned above, please contact the Metatech technical team.