Introduction

A national research organisation is offering a process for brightener formulation for depositing bright nickel from Watt's type electrolyte. A finished product with lustrous appearance always receives consumer attraction, especially when it is an outdoor fitting, automobile part, plumbing fixture, furniture or jewellery. Bright nickel with an overlay of chromium is widely used for producing such an attractive finish on various substrates ranging from aluminium to zinc. Normally, nickel plated from a conventional electrolyte without additive is dull in appearance. Instead, nickel can be plated in the bright condition itself with the addition of certain organic compounds 1 called brightener.

The chemistry of such brighteners remains a guarded secret so that in India the supply houses interested in marketing them, procure the same from foreign patentee firms and mix them suitably for marketing. The institute know-how makes it possible to prepare the brightener system based on indigenously available chemicals and require simpler operations like refluxing, mixing and filtration.

The brightener when added to a conventional Watt's nickel electrolyte produces lustrous deposits with a high degree of reflectivity and 65-75% levelling ability. The physico mechanical properties remain well within the desirable ranges. The brightener system can be easily controlled by suitable techniques for replenishment in solution as required.

Areas of application: Materials, coatings.

Production capacity: 5000 litres per year of 300 working days.

Inputs required: Land : 40 sq.m.

Economic data

Total project Cost : Rs. 2,67,000

Operational cost/year : Rs. 5,80,890
Machinery/equipment : Rs. 51,550
Return on investment : 25.9%
Break even point : 53%

Transfer forms : know-how

Target countries : Worldwide

For further information please contact:

Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises,
APCTT Building, Near Technology Bhawan,
PO Box 4575, Off New Mehrauli Road,
New Delhi-110 016