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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: MikeHK99 on June 27, 2017, 07:29:11 AM

Title: plating zinc foil with indium
Post by: MikeHK99 on June 27, 2017, 07:29:11 AM

Hi All ,

I am working in a project whereby I need to plate a thin layer of indium chloride onto zinc foil.
I intend to dissolve the Incl3 and bath the zinc , then dry.
What would be the correct procedure ?

Thanks

Mike

Title: Re: plating zinc foil with indium
Post by: Hunter2 on June 27, 2017, 09:56:08 AM

I think  you mean you want to plate a indium layer not a indium chloride layer.
I would do it by using an electrical plating equipment. Other wise you have only a very thin layer by immersion reaction. With the current and time you can calculate your thickness. Instead of the chloride I would use the sulfate. It depends which kind of anodes you have.

Title: Re: plating zinc foil with indium
Post by: Enthalpy on June 28, 2017, 01:58:41 AM

Indium melts at +157°C, so you could dip the zinc in liquid indium. The thickness isn't accurate, but the deposition is quick.

Title: Re: plating zinc foil with indium
Post by: Enthalpy on June 29, 2017, 02:32:00 PM

I've checked descriptions on the Internet about how zinc gutters (or complete roofs, in Paris) are soldered with "tin" (can be a shorthand).

• I had feared the molten metal wouldn't wet zinc because of the native oxide layer, just like Sn+Pb doesn't wet aluminium nor stainless steel. Apparently not a worry with zinc.
• But the zinc surface must be prepared with a little bit (paintbrush) of hydrochloric acid or a flux.
• For gutters, the parts are not dipped but heated with an iron, and "tin" sticks bring the solder material.
• Maybe a propane torch fits more massive parts better. The flux would usefully indicate the part's temperature.

I'd try to apply the gutter soldering procedure, just replacing "tin" with indium.