Copper Electrolyte Alkaline Caswell Flash Copper

Caswell Flash Copper™ Alkaline Copper Electrolyte

Alkaline copper plating with Caswell Flash copper™ for acid-sensitive objects.

Caswell Flash copper is a ready-to-use copper electrolyte and increases adhesion to any other metal with a fine interlayer of copper for acidic copper, nickel and Copychrome, among others. Flash Copper™ is a unique alkaline electrolytic seller process with better deposition and coverage than a cyanide seller system.

A layer of alkaline copper is ideal for metals, such as zinc, which are sensitive to an acid electroplating bath such as acid copper. By first applying a layer of Flash copper, it is then possible to apply a layer of acid copper or another metal.

Features of the Caswell Flash copper™ kit

• Can be applied to: steel, copper, brass, stainless steel, galvanized aluminum, nickel and cast zinc. Can be applied to tin and lead after an etch bath
• Anode: Copper
• Brightener: None
• consumption: 0.1 ampere per 10 cm² at +- 2 V
• Flash copper covers recesses and low flow areas that cyanide copper struggles with
• works at room temperature
• applies a thin glossy layer of copper suitable for fine details
• The copper comes off the anodes and they have to be replaced when they run out
• In principle, the copper electrolyte has an unlimited shelf life if it is properly maintained
• Eliminates the use of cyanide adhesive layers
• Eliminates the use of metal primer on zinc
• Eliminates the use of a stainless steel activator
• Eliminates the use of a nickel adhesive layer on steel for the acid Copper Plating process

Advantages of Alkaline Copper

It gives an excellent decorative finish on, for example, buttons, rivets, lighting fixtures and installation materials. The flash copper can easily be blackened or oxidized with one of the various patinas for a variety of attractive aged finishes.

Alkaline copper can be seen as the “primer” layer to apply other metals to and is the best starting point for good adhesion and trouble-free end result.

Flash Copper™ produces a fine-grained, smooth, waterproof and flexible copper deposit that has excellent bonding properties. The sales and hiding power of Caswell Flash copper is superior to cyanide processes.

The grain is finer than cyanide copper, which increases the density of the deposit. The fine-grained Flash Copper™ deposit under a layer of nickel/chromium improves overall corrosion resistance and helps the nickel better cover areas of low current density.