Question

A steel stamping is to be nickel plated for corrosion protection. The part is a rectangular flat plate that is 3.2 mm thick and whose face dimensions are 13 cm by 16 cm. The plating operation is carried out in an acid sulfate electrolyte, using a current of 25 amps for duration of 60 min.

Required:
Determine the average thickness of the plated metal resulting from this operation.

Answer 1

the average thickness of the plated metal resulting from this operation is 0.0744 mm

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the data in the question;

thickness = 3.2 mm and face dimensions are 13 cm by 16 cm; i.e 130 mm by 160 mm

Total surface area of the steel plate to be electroplated will be;

⇒ A = 2( ( 130 × 160 ) + ( 3.2 × 130 ) + ( 3.2 × 160 ) )

A = 2( 20800 + 416 + 512 )

A = 2 × 21728

A = 43456 mm²

Given that; Current I = 25 amps

time t = 60 min = 60 × 60 = 3600 sec

From table C below;

For Nickel ( Acid Sulfate ); Cathode efficiency n = 95% = 0.95

Panting Constant C = 3.42 × 10⁻² mm³/amp-s

Hence, Required Thickness of plated metal will will be;

⇒ ( C × I × t ) / ( A × n )

we substitute

⇒ ( (3.42 × 10⁻²) × 25 × 3600 ) / ( 43456 × 0.95 )

⇒ 3078 / 41283.2

⇒ 0.0744 mm

Therefore, the average thickness of the plated metal resulting from this operation is 0.0744 mm