Scope of this guide
Junior version: what you will see, what you record, and what you never touch. Recognise early, escalate fast.
Series: finishing.com recurring questions answered with platingclub line practice. Parameters are industry-standard starting ranges — confirm against your supplier TDS.
Triage: symptom → confirm → first move
| Symptom | Likely root | Confirm by | First move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit cracks on bend test | Deposit stress high: brightener overdose | Bend test + Hull cell | Hull cell, cut dose per curve |
| Craze lines after chrome | Over-bright deposit meets chrome stress | Timing: before/after chrome | Dose down before chrome audit |
| Powdery, flaky deposit | Metal or pH out of band | Titration + pH | Correct per TDS |
| Brittle only late in bath life | Organics + breakdown products | Turnover count | Carbon trial / plan rebuild |
| Brittle on thin parts only | Over-plating thin sections | Thickness by part class | Split families by weight |
Recognise, record, escalate
| You see | You do | You never do |
|---|---|---|
| Crack on bend sample | Keep the sample, tag load, call senior | Bend more to 'double check' then toss it |
| Flaky deposit | Note tank number and load time | Re-plate over the flakes |
| Craze after chrome | Report before chrome audit | Blame the chrome tank |
| Any brittle pattern | Tank card entry | Adjust dose yourself |
Engineer notes
- One variable per corrective action; verify with the confirm-by column.
- Records beat memory: log every trial on the tank card.
- Two failed actions in a row is a senior call — escalate with your log.
Safety: nickel bath chemistry is a sensitiser; bend tests flick sharp metal shards. Gloves, shield at the tank, eye protection at the bench.
FAQ
What does a bend test tell me?
A ductile deposit bends without cracking; a brittle one craze-cracks — that sample stops the load from shipping.
Why keep the cracked sample?
It is evidence: the Hull cell and dose log explain it; without it, nobody learns.
Can I re-plate a flaky part?
Strip and replate, yes — but flaking means the bath needs the senior, not another cycle.