Method for plating on titanium
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorsBill F. Rothschild, Sue Troup
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for application of an adherent nickel plate to titanium includes steps of surface preparation, deposition of nickel from a plating solution, and a final treatment. The surface preparation steps include a hydrochloric acid dip, a nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid activation, treatment to slow the re-formation of an oxide layer, and deposition of a nickel strike. The treatment to reduce oxide formation may be accomplished without application of a current, in a solution of acetic and hydrofluoric acid, in which titanium alloy has been electrolytically dissolved. Alternatively, the treatment may be performed with the piece to be plated made anodic in a solution of acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid.
Claims6
A process for plating electroless nickel onto a titanium piece, consisting of the steps of:
- cleaning the piece of titanium;
- contacting the piece of titanium to a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution;
- activating the piece of titanium in a solution of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid;
- immersing, without the application of any voltage or current, the piece of titanium in a treatment solution prepared by the process of
- preparing a mixture of acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid,
- placing an inert cathode and a titanium anode into the mixture, and
- dissolving titanium into the mixture;
- coating the piece of titanium with a nickel strike layer;
- electrolessly plating the piece of titanium with a nickel layer;
- and
- heat treating the piece of plated titanium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.