US4814049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Plating bath composition for copper-tin-zinc alloy
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1986-05-21
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Granted: 1989-03-21
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Expires: 2006-05-21
Abstract
Abstract An alkaline, cyanide, aqueous electroplating composition of copper, tin, and zinc includes a small amount of nickel to enhance the inclusion of tin in the copper-tin-zinc plate deposited from the soltion. The plate resists tarnishing by a corrosion test solution, and retains its bright silvery-colored appearance because the plate preferably includes at least about 10.9 atomic wt % tin. The plating method for enhanced tin alloys through nickel additions to the bath is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond L. Helton
- 👤 Douglas W. Trobough
- 👤 Marianne McPherson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:53
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D3/00; C25D3/02; C25D3/56; C25D3/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
An electroplating bath composition for plating an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc, comprising a solution having a predetermined amount of copper, tin, and zinc ions and an effective amount of nickel ions sufficient to promote the plating of a corrosion-resistant, bright silvery-colored plate of copper-tin-zinc alloy, wherein the concentration of nickel ions is between about 12.0-20.0 ppm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electroplating bath composition for plating an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc, comprising a solution having a predetermined amount of copper, tin, and zinc ions and an effective amount of nickel ions sufficient to promote the plating of a corrosion-resistant, bright silvery-colored plate of copper-tin-zinc alloy, wherein the concentration of nickel ions is between about 12.0-20.0 ppm.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for plating a corrosion-resistant, bright silvery-colored alloy plate of copper, tin, and zinc, wherein the plate is resistant to tarnishing when soaked with a solution of 10 g/l NaClO 2 , 3.5 g/l NaOH, and 1.8 g/l Na 3 PO 3 for 60 seconds at 170°+/-5° F., comprising the step of adding an effective amount of nickel ions to the electroplating bath composition to promote plating of the desired copper-tin-zinc alloy, wherein the concentration of nickel ions is between about 12-20 ppm.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for plating a corrosion-resistant, bright silvery-colored alloy plate of copper, tin, and zinc, wherein the plate is resistant to tarnishing when soaked with a solution of 10 g/l NaClO 2 , 3.5 g/l NaOH, and 1.8 g/l Na 3 PO 3 for 60 seconds at 170°+/-5° F., comprising the step of adding an effective amount of nickel ions to the electroplating bath composition to promote plating of the desired copper-tin-zinc alloy, wherein the concentration of nickel ions is between about 12-20 ppm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
An electroplate characterized by having a bright, silvery-colored appearance, being resistant to corrosion and to tarnishing by soaking in a solution of 10 g/l NaClO 2 , 3.5 g/l NaOH, and 1.8 g/l Na 3 PO 3 for 60 seconds at 170°+/-5° F., and having a copper-tin-zinc alloy of at least 10.9 atomic wt. % tin, the electroplate being formed by the process of: (a) preparing an alkaline, cyanide, aqueous electroplating bath having: Cu + : 0.40-0.48 oz/gal; Zn + : 0.18-0.22 oz/gal; Sn +4 : 0.15-0.20 oz/gal; and NaCN: 3.1-3.5 oz/gal; (b) adding an effective amount of nickel to the bath sufficient to promote plating of at least 10.9 atomic wt % tin from the bath, the nickel ion concentration in said bath being in the range of about 12 to 20 ppm; and (c) plating an alloy electroplate of copper-tin-zinc alloy from the nickel-containing bath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
An electroplate characterized by having a bright, silvery-colored appearance, being resistant to corrosion and to tarnishing by soaking in a solution of 10 g/l NaClO 2 , 3.5 g/l NaOH, and 1.8 g/l Na 3 PO 3 for 60 seconds at 170°+/-5° F., and having a copper-tin-zinc alloy of at least 10.9 atomic wt. % tin, the electroplate being formed by the process of: (a) preparing an alkaline, cyanide, aqueous electroplating bath having: Cu + : 0.40-0.48 oz/gal; Zn + : 0.18-0.22 oz/gal; Sn +4 : 0.15-0.20 oz/gal; and NaCN: 3.1-3.5 oz/gal; (b) adding an effective amount of nickel to the bath sufficient to promote plating of at least 10.9 atomic wt % tin from the bath, the nickel ion concentration in said bath being in the range of about 12 to 20 ppm; and (c) plating an alloy electroplate of copper-tin-zinc alloy from the nickel-containing bath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS62191A
Cited
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |