Cleaning Requirements, Electroplating

A chemi­cally clean surface is essential for electro­plating. This means that organic mineral, vegetable and animal oils and fats processes as well as inorganic contaminants, such as corrosion products and metallic oxides, swarf particles, abrasive residues and other products must be removed after forming and fabricating. Common methods for continuous plating (nickel or zinc) of wire include use of alkaline electrolytic or ultra-sound de­greasing. Acid pickling is often used if the wire has to be annealed after pre-drawing and before plating. Making the last draft before heat treatment in either emulsion or water also makes it easier to clean before plating.