Determination of Boric Acid concentration in Nickel plating bath

Boric acid (H3BO3) is a crucial component in nickel plating baths as it can directly influence the quality of the nickel coating obtained. It is critical for its buffering ability to regulate pH, prevent the formation of undesirable compounds such as nickel hydroxide, improve the luster of the coating, reduce internal stresses, and promote uniform deposition. Typically, the concentration of boric acid that enables the effective performance of its functions is between 30 and 45 g/L. Quantitative determination of this parameter enables the electrodeposition process to be carried out efficiently and with reliable results.

Method

Test type: End Point.

Testing time: 2 minutes.

Analysis sessions with multiple samples are possible up to a maximum of 16 tests for CDR GalvanLab® and 3 tests for CDR GalvanLab® Junior.

Passo 1
Step 1/12
Perform sample attivation. Take 0,5 ml of sample and place it in a cuvette containing boric acid activator, close the cuvette, mix and let it react for about 2 minutes.
Passo 2
Step 2/12
Place the test tubes containing reagent R1 in one of the incubation cells and let them warm for at least 5 minutes.
Passo 3
Step 3/12
Collect 40 µL of R2 with the pipette.
Passo 4
Step 4/12
Add 40 µL of R2 to the cuvette without touching the tip in the liquid. In case of contamination, replace the tip.
Passo 5
Step 5/12
Gently shake the cuvette 2-3 times.
Passo 6
Step 6/12
Place the cuvette in one of the incubation cells and start the timer by pressing the timer icon.
Passo 7
Step 7/12
Select the cuvette to be read from the display. Place the cuvette in the cell marked with the blue light and press READ.
Passo 8
Step 8/12
Collect 30 µL of extracted sample with a pipette. Use a new tip for each test to prevent contamination from previous samples.
Passo 9
Step 9/12
Carefully clean the outside of the pipette tip with blotting paper, avoiding contact between the extremity of the tip and the paper.
Passo 10
Step 10/12
Place the sample in the cuvette. Keeping the tip immersed in reagent, press and release the piston of the pipette several times.
Passo 11
Step 11/12
Gently shake the cuvette 2-3 times.
Passo 12
Step 12/12
Place the cuvette in the cell marked with the blue light and press READ to perform the photometric reading.
8%

Sample treatment

The analysis is carried out on nickel bath. The sample must be previously treated with an aliquot of activation solution in a cuvette.

Principle of the test

The nickel bath is treated with an activating solution. The sample is reacted with a chromogen, and from the spectrophotometric reading the boric acid present can be quantified.

Calibration curve

Calibration curve was obtained by correlating the CDR method with the reference method.

Boric Acid Analysis in Nickel baths: Calibration Curve of the CDR GalvanLab® instrument with the reference method.

Reagent test Kits

Code *400150: 100 test
Code *400155: 10 test
The reagents have a shelf-life of 12 months

Measuring range

AnalysesMeasuring rangeResolutionRepeatability
Boric acid nickel bath20 - 80 g/L0.100 g/L1 g/L

The chemical analysis instrument for electroplating baths

CDR GalvanLab®

  • Complete analysis panel, supplied already configured
  • Up to 16 determinations simultaneously
  • Possibility of carrying out analyses of the same sample
  • Integrated printer
  • Full connections (LAN - USB - Bluetooth barcode/QR code reader)

CDR GalvanLab® Jr

  • Partial analysis panel, customisable configuration
  • Up to 3 determinations simultaneously
  • Wireless connection to external printer
  • USB connections
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