Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
(OP)
We have a carburizing line in our industrial heat treating operation, and are processing typical carburizing grades such as AISI 8620 and 9310. As a part of this process, we use a copper plating bath to selectively apply a thin copper layer as a stop off to prevent certain areas on these parts from absorbing carbon during the carburizing process. After carburizing is completed, we would normally use a chromic acid bath solution to strip the copper from the 8620 parts, but due to increasing regulations and associated costs we have decided to discontinue use of the chromic acid altogether.
We need to identify an alternative stripping method that can be used for reliably removing copper plating from these 8620 parts without etching the base material. I am aware of a few ways to do this, but would like your opinions to help identify the best method for our operation. The preference would be for a method that provides the most reliable service without causing substantial maintenance issues or health hazards (such as chromic and and cynaide salts can). I believe that an electrochemical process would probably be the best approach in this regard, but which one? Please let me know what methods you have used, and with what level of success. What are your thoughts?
Maui
We need to identify an alternative stripping method that can be used for reliably removing copper plating from these 8620 parts without etching the base material. I am aware of a few ways to do this, but would like your opinions to help identify the best method for our operation. The preference would be for a method that provides the most reliable service without causing substantial maintenance issues or health hazards (such as chromic and and cynaide salts can). I believe that an electrochemical process would probably be the best approach in this regard, but which one? Please let me know what methods you have used, and with what level of success. What are your thoughts?
Maui





RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
or strong hydrogen peroxide (be very careful) based pickle solutions. I don't recall specific chemistry, I haven't used any of these for many years.
http://www.metalxusa.com/index.html These guys say that they make strippers, but their web site sucks.
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Plymouth Tube
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
SceneryDriver
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
Likewise for most strong acids.
Though dilute sulfuric might be an option
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Plymouth Tube
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
I don't have any personal experience with these products, but there are a number of commercially available strippers that are routinely used to remove copper plating, e.g. from stainless steel parts that have been cold/warm formed out of copper-plated wire. Here are some examples:
http://www.abrite.com/index.php?option=com_content...
http://www.epi.com/p/other-misc/metal-stripping-/e...
http://heatbath.com/metal-finishing-products/strip...
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components
If you can use an alternative stop-off method, Heatbath's No-Carb Special or No-Carb Green works very well. We carburize 8620 among other grades using this material, which is either painted on critical areas or parts are dipped into a container. Some products may require two applications, you need to allow 30 minutes after application before applying a second coat or sending into the furnace.
RE: Reliable Method for Stripping Copper Plating from 8620 Components