COPPER ALLOY

Version: 02

SUPERVISION

Doc.-No.: 2047
IMDS-No.: not relevant

Brass Trisalyt (two-part)

Alkaline, cyanide brass electrolyte for rack and barrel plating

CONTENTS

Process Information...........................................................................................................................................2
Practical Test with the Hull Cell .........................................................................................................................3
1. Influence of the Concentration of Brass Trisalyt .......................................................................................3
1.1 Normal Concentration ..........................................................................................................................3
1.2 Concentration is too low .......................................................................................................................3
1.3 Concentration is too high......................................................................................................................3
2. Influence of the Constituents.....................................................................................................................4
2.1 Copper..................................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Zinc .......................................................................................................................................................4
2.3 Sodium Cyanide (free) .........................................................................................................................4
2.4 Sodium Carbonate ...............................................................................................................................4
2.5 Ammonium Chloride .............................................................................................................................4
2.6 Ammonia ..............................................................................................................................................4
3. Influence of the pH-Value..........................................................................................................................5
4. Organic Contaminations............................................................................................................................5
Typical Test Panel for Brass Trisalyt .................................................................................................................6

Page: 1 / 6
Released on:

Released by:

07.08.2007

TECHNICAL CENTER GMF

Version: 02

Brass Trisalyt (two-part)

Doc.-No.: 2047

Alkaline, cyanide brass electrolyte for rack and barrel plating

Process Information

Content of copper
Content of zinc
Content of cyanide (free)
Content of carbonate

Nominal values
Copper
Zinc
Sodium cyanide (free)
Sodium carbonate

On Make up

During operation

12.9 g/l
6.0 g/l
9.4 g/l
approx. 20.0 g/l

10 - 18 g/l
5 - 8 g/l
7 - 15 g/l
below 100 g/l

Suitable methods for analyses are described in our "Analytical Instructions for Brass solutions".
The pH-value should be between 9.4 and 10.0 (measured Lyphan-Paper) ( Range: 9.4 - 10.3).
If the total concentration of the electrolyte decreases, e.g. due to drag-out, it can be restored by adding
Brass Trisalyt Compound Part A and Brass Trisalyt Compound Part B.
For each 10 g of Brass Trisalyt Compound Part A added, add 6 g Brass Trisalyt Compound Part B at
the same time.

Important Note: Provide sufficient exhaust while making additions!

If only the copper content or zinc content need to be adjusted, copper cyanide (CuCN) or zinc cyanide
(Zn(CN)2) should be added.
Additions of 10 g/l each of the following salts will change the inorganic bath values as follows:
Salt
10 g/l Brass Trisalyt
Compound Part A
10 g/l Copper cyanide
(CuCN)
10 g/l Zinc cyanide
( Zn(CN)2 )

Copper
2.0 g/l

Zinc
0.95 g/l

Sodium cyanide (free)

+1.5 g/l

7.1 g/l

--

-10.9 g/l

--

5.6 g/l

-8.4 g/l

Page: 2 / 6
Released on:

Released by:

07.08.2007

TECHNICAL CENTER GMF

Version: 02

Brass Trisalyt (two-part)

Doc.-No.: 2047

Alkaline, cyanide brass electrolyte for rack and barrel plating

In order to increase the content of inorganic components by 1 g/l the following amounts should be
added:
Salt
4.9 g/l Brass Trisalyt
Compound Part A
10.6 g/l Brass Trisalyt
Compound Part A
6.7 g/l Brass Trisalyt
Compound Part A
1.4 g/l Copper cyanide
(CuCN)
1.8 g/l Zinc cyanide
( Zn(CN)2 )

Copper
1 g/l

Zinc
0.5 g/l

Sodium cyanide (free)

+0.7 g/l

2.2 g/l

1 g/l

+1.6 g/l

1.4 g/l

0.6 g/l

+1 g/l

1 g/l

--

-1.5 g/l

--

1 g/l

-1.5 g/l

Practical Test with the Hull Cell

Test is carried out at room temperature with 0.4 A/scratched steel sheet test panel and with profiled anode.
The current density decreases to approx. 0.3 A during electrolysis and must therefore be re-adjusted. The
voltage increases during this procedure from 2 V to 4.0 - 4.5 V, Time of electrolysis: 10 min.
For deposition of perfect brass layers the following constituents or correction agents are necessary and must
therefore be maintained while analytical tests are being carried out:

Copper
Zinc
Sodium cyanide
Sodium carbonate
Ammonium chloride and
Ammonia

1. Influence of the Concentration of Brass Trisalyt

1.1 Normal Concentration
Uniform, bright, yellow brass layer is observed on the entire test panel. However, in the highest current
density range the brass layer might be dark striped up to 5 mm (Fig. 1).

1.2 Concentration is too low

In the high current density area matte and dark striped deposits (Fig.2).

1.3 Concentration is too high

No obvious signs can be recognized on the test panel.
Page: 3 / 6
Released on:

Released by:

07.08.2007

TECHNICAL CENTER GMF

Version: 02

Brass Trisalyt (two-part)

Doc.-No.: 2047

Alkaline, cyanide brass electrolyte for rack and barrel plating

2. Influence of the Constituents

2.1 Copper
Lack of copper leads to green brass deposits mainly in the high current density range.
An excess of copper leads to reddish to matte brass layers in the highest current density range.

2.2 Zinc
Lack of zinc leads to reddish brass layers in the highest current density range.
An excess of zinc leads to unsightly coloured deposits (greyish, beige), mainly in the high current density
area.

2.3 Sodium Cyanide (free)

The content of sodium cyanide (free) is to be half of the entire metal concentration. If the content is too low
it can lead to matte deposits at high current densities and to reddish deposits at low current densities (Fig. 3).
An excess of sodium cyanide (free) reduces metal deposition. At first the back of the test panel is not
completely covered anymore; in case of a greater excess there will be no metal deposition at all.

2.4 Sodium Carbonate

Up to 100 g/l of sodium carbonate no visible effect can be recognized on the test panel.
Higher contents will lead to matte brass layers.

2.5 Ammonium Chloride

Lack of ammonium chloride leads to matte spongy coloured brass layers, which spread from high to low
current densities (Fig.4). For correction 0.5 to 1.0 g/l ammonium chloride must be added.
An excess of ammonium chloride will lead to reddish brass layers over the entire current density area.

2.6 Ammonia
If the electrolyte lacks ammonia, the layers are have a brownish colour mainly at high current densities.
(Fig.5) For correction 1 to 2 ml/l ammonia (0.91 g/cm3) must be added.
At first an excess of ammonia shows reddish brass deposits over the entire current density area. If there is a
strong overdosage mainly zinc will be deposited in the high current density range. Zinc deposition can
spread over the entire front of the test panel (Fig. 6). An excess of ammonia can be completely reduced by
temporary heating of the bath to 60 - 80 C.

Page: 4 / 6
Released on:

Released by:

07.08.2007

TECHNICAL CENTER GMF

Version: 02

Brass Trisalyt (two-part)

Doc.-No.: 2047

Alkaline, cyanide brass electrolyte for rack and barrel plating

3. Influence of the pH-Value

A low pH is not disturbing. Because of safety, a pH no lower than 9.0 should be observed.
If the pH is too high (> 10.5) it will lead to reddish deposits. At a pH of 12 (Fig. 7) mainly zinc will be
deposited within the low current density area. The pH can be decreased by addition of sodium hydrogen
sulfide (NaHSO3) diluted in water or boric acid (H3BO3) diluted in water. The corresponding solution is then
added to the electrolyte while thoroughly stirring. It is absolutely necessary to provide sufficient exhaust while
making additions.
Never add a strong mineral acid to bath to lower pH.

4. Organic Contaminations
Brass deposits which are reddish, matte or striped at a normal pH and correct bath composition result from
organic contaminations (foreign wetting agents or other organic substances). To remove the foreign
substances clean the bath with 4 - 5 g/l powdered activated carbon (low sulfur, low iron; suitable carbon can
be purchased from Atotech).

Be sure to observe all local regulations concerning the limit values of pollutants
including the general regulations on dangerous materials!!

Page: 5 / 6
Released on:

Released by:

07.08.2007

TECHNICAL CENTER GMF

Version: 02

Brass Trisalyt (two-part)

Doc.-No.: 2047

Alkaline, cyanide brass electrolyte for rack and barrel plating

Typical Test Panel for Brass Trisalyt

0 mm

100 mm

Abb.1
Normal concentration

Abb.2
Total concentration is too low

Abb. 3
Lack of sodium cyanide
(free) (3 g/l)

Abb.4
Lack of ammonium chloride
(0.5 g/l)

Abb.5
Lack of ammonia

Abb.6
Excess of ammonia
(approx. 25 ml/l)

Abb.7
pH 12

This sheet shall serve for your information. The content of the sheet is based on our best
knowledge. We do not undertake any duty to advise. The contents of the sheet shall not
be considered as an agreement on condition and quality of the goods delivered.
The decision to use our products for its production purposes is the responsibility of our
customer. We can accept liability only for the quality of our products at delivery. If
difficulties arise in the application of our products, we propose that you contact our
technical service department.

Atotech Deutschland GmbH

P.O. Box: 21 07 80
10507, Germany
Erasmusstrae 20
10553, Germany
Telefon +49 (0) 30 349 85 0
Telefax +49 (0) 30 349 85 777

Page: 6 / 6
Released on:

Released by:

07.08.2007

TECHNICAL CENTER GMF