[intern21]

So here is an intersting one:

I am currently an intern working for a company that deals with EDM wire. We have some wire samples that have an outside coating we cannot see well when we use the SEM (scanning electron microscope). My supervisor suggested we plate the samples with nickel so when we prep the samples, we don't accidently grind off the outside layer.

These samples are brass wires with a high concentration of zinc on the outside (so I have been told). I have purchased the Mini Electroless Ni plating kit and have done initial platings samples. Instead of the .001"/hr I am supposed to get I am getting .0001"/hr (I have access to micrometers). How can this be fixed? Do I have zinc contamination? The samples are very small.

I should say that the wire samples are suspended from galvinized steel wire with most of the zinc sanded off (I think). It is hard to tell of the wire samples pass the water break test, due to how thin they are.

Also, will I need to use new steel wire everytime I need to plate a different wire sample? Does the Ni that plates to the steel affect its "activating" properties?

Also, I have stripped the zinc from the sopporting wire using muriatic acid and then plated directly on the supporting wire. That got me the .001"/hr that the manual states I should be getting. The next test I ran, though, with the stripped wire supporting the sample, I still only got .0001"/hr. I could really use some experienced help here.

Finally, what color is the final solution supposed to be after the final preparation for disposal? I still have a blue solution with what looks like fine white solids. The manual mentioned "water white".