The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 12, 2008
Nicole J. Micyus, South Lyon, MI (US);
Carl P. Steinecker, South Lyon, MI (US);
Duncan P. Beckett, Tamworth, GB;
Nicole J. Micyus, South Lyon, MI (US);
Carl P. Steinecker, South Lyon, MI (US);
Duncan P. Beckett, Tamworth, GB;
Other;
Abstract
A method of extending the lifetime of an electroless nickel plating bath by avoiding the addition of unwanted anions to the process and of improving the pH stability of the bath and minimizing additions of pH correcting additives. The method includes the steps of (a) depositing electroless nickel from an electroless nickel plating bath onto a substrate, wherein the electroless nickel plating bath preferably contains a source of nickel ions and a source of hypophosphite ions; (2) immersing a nickel anode in the plating bath; (3) completing the circuit by utilizing a cathode separated from the nickel bath by an ion exchange membrane and using a catholyte comprising an acid or a salt thereof; and (4) passing a current through the bath. Nickel is dissolved into the plating bath to maintain the nickel concentration and hydrogen is discharged from the cathode.