US 5,174,887 AGranted

High speed electroplating of tinplate

AssigneeLeaRonal, Inc.

InventorsGeorge A. Federman, Donald W. Thomson, Michael P. Toben, Neil D. Brown

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Abstract

A process for depositing tin upon a steel strip by high speed electroplating to produce tinplate, which includes a basis solution of an alkyl sulfonic acid, a solution soluble tin compound and a surfactant, preferably of an alkylene oxide condensation compound of 1) an aliphatic hydrocarbon having seven, preferably six or less, carbon atoms and at least one hydroxy group, or 2) an organic compound having no more than a total of twenty carbon atoms in one or two independent or joined rings optionally substituted with an alkyl moeity of six carbon atoms or less. After electroplating, the tinplate is rinsed and the rinse water only needs to be treated for removal of tin ions prior to discharge by normal procedures.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method for producing tinplate which comprises:

utilizing high speed electroplating equipment comprising an electroplating cell;
an overflow reservoir adjacent said cell;
means for returning solution from said reservoir to said electroplating cell;
and means for directing a steel strip to be plated from an entry point at one end of said cell to an exit at a second end of said cell;
introducing an electrolyte comprising a basis solution of an alkyl sulfonic acid, a solution soluble tin compound and a surfactant which is substantially non-foaming under high speed electroplating conditions into said equipment in a manner such that the electrolyte substantially fills said cell, continuously overflows into said reservoir, and is continuously returned to said cell, so as to provide vigorous agitation and circulation of said electrolyte within said cell;
and
continuously electroplating said steel strip with tin at a sufficient current density and at a sufficient temperature for high speed electroplating as said steel strip passes through said electroplating solution within said cell, wherein the surfactant is an alkylene oxide condensation compound of an organic compound having at least one hydroxy group and 20 carbon atoms or less, said organic compound including one of an aliphatic hydrocarbon of between one and seven carbon atoms;
an unsubstituted aromatic compound;
or an alkylated aromatic compound having six carbon atoms or less in the alkyl moiety.

6 more elements

A method for producing tinplate which comprises:

utilizing high speed electroplating equipment comprising an electroplating cell;
an overflow reservoir adjacent said cell;
means for returning solution from said reservoir to said electroplating cell;
and means for directing a steel strip to be plated from an entry point at one end of said cell to an exit at a second end of said cell;
and
introducing an electrolyte comprising a basis solution of an alkyl sulfonic acid, a solution soluble tin compound, and a surfactant of organic compound having at least one hydroxyl group and 20 carbon atoms or less condensed with a sufficient amount of an alkylene oxide compound, or solution soluble derivatives thereof, said surfactant enabling the electrolyte to be substantially non-foaming, clear, free from turbidity, and stable under high speed electroplating conditions so as to provide smooth electrodeposits having a grey satin finish, said organic compound including one of an aliphyatic hydrocarbon of between one and seven carbon atoms;
an unsubstituted aromatic compound;
or an alkylated aromatic compound having six carbons or less in the alkyl moiety into said equipment in a manner such that the electrolyte substantially fills said cell, continuously overflows into said reservoir and is continuously returned to said cell, so as to provide vigorous agitation and circulation of said electrolyte within said cell;
and
continuously electroplating said steel strip with tin at a current density of at least 75 about ASF and at a temperature of at least about 85.degree. F. for high speed electroplating as said steel strip passes through said electroplating solution within said cell.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/517,788Filed 2 May 1990 · continuation in part
Priority: 10 Dec 1987
Granted: 29 Dec 1992
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

C25D 3/36
Of lead: characterised by the organic bath constituents used
C25D 3/32
Of tin: characterised by the organic bath constituents used
C25D 3/60
Of alloys: containing more than 50% by weight of tin
F16K 27/105
Welded housings: for gate valves

Family

Serial130,759Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 10 Dec 1987
Serial282,581Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Dec 1988
Serial409,914Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 20 Sep 1989
US 4,994,155 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 4,880,507 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,174,887 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.