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Re: Rubber toroids [ graphite ]
From: Wes A Brzozowski[SMTP:wesb-at-blue.spectra-dot-net]
Sent: Friday, October 24, 1997 7:50 AM
To: Tesla List
Subject: Re: Rubber toroids
On Thu, 23 Oct 1997, Tesla List wrote:
>
> From: Alfred A. Skrocki[SMTP:alfred.skrocki-at-cybernetworking-dot-com]
> Sent: Thursday, October 23, 1997 4:15 AM
> To: Tesla List
> Subject: Re: Rubber toroids
>
> Simply rubbing graphite on a surface to make it conductive
> will work but not as dependably as the conductive paints.
The problems of this method stretch beyond mere dependability. It's fine
as a classroom demonstration in a beaker, but that's about it. Since the
rubbed graphite isn't actually attatched to the work peice in any way,
a lot of it will dislodge and float to the surface of the plating bath.
This not only cruds up the bath, but it has the potential to form a nice
conductive short circuit on the bath surface, unless you use
insulated conductors to connect to your work peice and your copper anode.
Also, since the graphite isn't attatched to the work peice, neither will
the layer of plate that you build up. Expect it to chip off readily. If
you're gonna do any practical plating, you mustn't do anything to
interfere with adhesion. Low adhesion and voids will be your two
biggest enemies.
Wes B.
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