Class

Book

COPYRFGHT DEPOSIT

ELECTRO-PLATING MADE EASY.

TSIE

m hWi
.D,

Had -Bo ok

A CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE TREATISE ON THE ART OF

SILVER AND NIGKEL PLATmS,

VITH OR

WITHOUT THE AID-^^5[^^0F^ca,G^ ^^^'^^'^^^^'^ THE ELECTRIC CURREN

'

'

E37-

T.

-^r.

:e^..^ib:e=e:k.

COLUMBUS, OHIO: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.

1883.

M-

Copyrighted A. D. 1883,

By

T. V. Harper.

r
&
Palmer,

Press of Trautman

columbus, ohio.

INTEODUOTION.

In the preparation of this

little

work,
as

we have
and

-^^ndeavored

to

make everything

plain

by avoiding as far as and names that are terms technical )racticable all those having a by only horoughly understood its application and lair knowledge of chemistry it is to electro-metallurgical operations, which more than fair to presum.e, is not possessed by this book as and persons, hundred of a out one
:omprehensive as possible,
is

intended more particularly for the practical benefit of the masses, we have adopted the
language,
lated,

and

style of expression, best calcu-

we

think, to supply a

want

in

the field of

popular, and scientific Hterature, heretofore so At the same time the exsadly neglected.

perienced electro-plater will find herein, facts which will prove not only interesting, but
instructive to him.

history of the art of electro-metallurgy dates far back in the seventeenth century, but not much progress was made in practical

The

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

of the then Hmited

application

the art in plating articles in a substantial

ner,
until

knowledge of mandiscovery
of

sometime

after

the

voltaic or chemical electricity,

in the

which occurred
the

The
in

year 1799. seven first

years
in

of

eighteenth

century,

were

fruitful

important discoveries

the

art.

into

its

voltaic

In 1800 water was first decomposed two constituent gases, by means of the battery, and shortly afterwards it wa?
silver, in

discovered that

contact with another,

and a more positive metal, received a firmly adherent deposit of copper, when placed in a
solution of that metal.

In

the years of 1804 and 1805,

it

was

first

noticed, that

when

a current of electricity

was
or

passed through a solution of sulphate of copper,

or
nitrate

of

silver,

by means of

silver,

platinum wires, the metal held

deposited upon
the wire

in solution

was
zinc

connected with

pole of the battery.

About
it

a year later, gold

by means of the was then first noticed, that the anode (or the pole or plate,) by which the electric current entered the solution was
first

was

successfully deposited

electric

current,

and

slowly

dissolved,

although

it

is

not

clearly

THE SILVER PLATER

shown
that

HAND BOOK.

fact at that time.

any advantage was taken of this This seems strange when we

in

take into consideration the importance of the

discovery,
all

which plays so prominent a part

electro-plating operations.

From this time, until after the year 1831, when magneto-electricity was discovered by Faraday, but little Was done in the way of
advancing the
art of electro-metaUurgy.

In the year 1834, Faraday conducted a

numother

ber of experiments, and discovered

things,

among
in a

that

the

amount

of salt

solution

decomposed by the
and
the

electric

current,

was

in

direct proportion to the quantity of electricity,

that the quantity of electricity generated in

a battery, depended
intensity

upon the
current,

size of the plates

of the

or

its

overcoming

resistence,

depending

power of upon the

that the

number
In

of cells in circuit.

the

year

1836,

it

was noticed

copper pole of a battery somewhat similar to

the

present

Daniell

battery,

became heavily

coated with metallic copper, which constantly

increased in thickness, and also that this deposit

when removed, presented

a faithful outline of

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

the original copper plate, every line and scratch,

however
several

fine,

In the years

being faithfully reproduced. 1837 and 1839, it occurred to

this fact

might be taken advantage of in the reproduction of copper plates, steel engravings, etc., and a great many experiments were conducted with this end in
parties that

view.

One

experimentalist had occasion to use

a small strip of copper, in a sulphate of copper

solution, in conducting

one of
of

his

experiments,

and not having a

Mtrip

sheet copper con-

venient, attached a large copper coin to a wire,

and immersed it in the solution, where it remained in circuit for quite a while, and received a heavy deposit of copper. Finally one

day while conducting another experiment, it became necessary for him to use the wire attached to the coin, and while removing it he
.

detached a large piece of the deposited copper, and at once observed that it was an exact mold of that portion of the coin, every line, and letter being reproduced with remarkable fidelity.
In the year i84o,

the art of electroplating

with goid and

solutions,

silver received a fresh

impetuous,
alkaline

by the discovery of

the suitability of

and the hitherto unprecedented sue-

THE SILVER PLATERS HANDBOOK.

cess attending their use.
still

Great difficulty was

experienced

in

obtaining a good and firmly

articles of brittania metal,
first

adherent deposit upon

which was
articles

finally

remedied, by

coating the

with copper.
this

From
this

time forward,
strides

the art has been

in

making rapid

towards perfection, but

age of progress and invention, wdio can gainsay the assertion that, perhaps, it is still in

So numerous are the wonderful and startling discoveries, that the more conservative would hesitate, at drawing the boundarly line beyond which inventive genius and scientific research may not proceed. It would seem to the practical electro plater
its

infancy.

inventions,

that

there

is

but
in

little

room or

necessity for

improvement
as they are
It is

gold and silver plating solutions,

all

now about

that could be desired.

with the electro-deposition of other more

fields

obscure metals and metalloids that the

scientific research lay invitingly

of

open, the elecinteresting

trolysis of

carbon being
it

all

the

more

from the
artificial

fact that

may probably
is

result in the

formation of the diamond which, as the

reader perhaps knows,

carbon.

but pure crystalized

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

One
is

great obstacle in the

way

of

much

re-

search in the
difficulty

way

of electro deposition of carbon

in

experienced

obtaining solutions

containing carbon that are conductors of elec-

The fused or melted carbonates are about the only liquids that have been used with any degree of success so far.
tricity.

With the melted carbonates of potash and sodium a black and very hard deposit of carbon has been obtained.

The melted carbonate

soda)
is,

of

sodium
fair

(washing
has

perhaps,

the
it

best mixture that

been

tried as yet,

being a

conductor of

elect ricty,

and yields a better deposit of carbon

than any of the other mixtures.

In
conclusion

we would say

that

strict

observance of the rules and formulas contained

in this
results.

book

will

be productive of the best of

the later discoveries

Much
art,

pains have been taken to give

all

the reader the benefit of

in

the

and the language of the book so

adapted that those with but a limited education

may

easily understand.

GENERAL INFOEMATION,

All the vessels used

ferent solutions,

in

containing
of glass,

the

dif-

should be

stone, or

enameled ware; glass ware being preferred for operations on the small scale. Their size should
be adapted to the number and size of the
to be plated, but for
articles

convenience sake we would

in

suggest, that they be capable of containing at

least a gallon.

They should be kept

a well

ventilated
fall

room, and where the light can not directly upon them. The different acids,

and other necessary chemicals, should be kept in well stoppered bottles, and placed carefully out of the reach of meddling hands, as many of them are the most violent poisons, and some of them are capable of producing almost instan death and others, when mixed, producing the most powerful explosives. Too much care can
;

not be observed
sad,

in this respect, as

many

are the
in

and

fatal results,

of an incautious

manner

10

THE SILVER PTATER's HAND BOOK.

or care-

the handling of dangerous chemicals,

lessly leaving

them where unthoughtful hands may bring about the most disastrous conseArticles to

quences.

be re-plated,

should

first

have

the old deposit removed,

different

either

chemicals, ^vhich will

along,
or

by the aid of be mentioned

or

further

by

filing

and scraping,

scouring with emery paper.

When removed by
may
be re covered

means

of acids,

the metal

with but small

and where the operation is carefully conducted, with no less at all, and used over again; where a great deal of re plating
loss,
is

done

this

is

quite an important item in

the

economical management of the business.

The
is

prevailing opinion

that electro-plating
is

necessarily a very expensive operation,

er-

roneous,

although w^e confess that the high

plated goods are usually sold,
to further that impression,

prices at wdiich

would tend

and often

when
time,

the purchaser has used the articles a short

and worn
baser

off the thin plating, thus expos-

ing

he would what little precious metal there was there, had been deposited at great expense. But where the business is conthe

metal

underneath,

naturally

conclude

that

LHE
ducted
total

SjiLVER ^LA.fEKa HANi^

}300J<:.

economically, and understandingly, the

is

expense

but a very small percentnge

over the intrinsic value of the metal depofited as an electro plating solution once properly

made, and then carefully mana|f^, will last for or until it becomes^so clogged up wi-th impurities set free by the dissolving of the anode, that it will no longer deposit pure metal, and for
years,
this

reason, great care should be taken in

the
as

selection of anodes, in order to obtain

free as possible

them

from

all

impurities.

Anodes
silver

of silver

generally contain traces

of

copper, and those of gold contain traces of both

and copper, which being dissolved in the solution and deposited, greatly change the color and appearance of-the articles. When not in
use,

the vessels containing the depositing solu-

tions should be carefully covered over to pre-

vent accidents by poisoning, and also to keep

out the dust, and other foreign substances which

might be accidently introduced. The habit some platers have

that
wires,
it,

of

dipping

the hands in the solutions to recover articles

become detached from

is

their

supporting

a very dangerous one to say the least of

of the poison
is

as

some

apt to be absorbed

12

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

skin,

through the pores of the

into
cuts, or

or

by getting

even sh'ght abrasions of the skin,

causae troublesome and dangerous sores.

The

way

to recover articles accidentally

i* fey

the solution,
a bent wire.

dropped in means of a wooden spoon or

PREPARING ARTICLES TO BE PLATED.

All

articles to

be plated must
in

first

be made

scrupulously clean,
firm

order to obtain a good

deposit.

great

many

failures

may be

attributed to the neglect of this very important

step.

otherwise

They should first be filed made as smooth as

for a short time, in a

or scraped, or
possible,

then

immersed

strong and hot

solution of potash,

(concentrated lye) and then

rinsed well in clean water.

A very good scraper can be easily made by gnnding down the sides of a three cornered file until it is perfectly smooth, and finishing up on
an
oil

stone,

thus leaving three sharp cutting

edges.

Articles that have been soldered,

in

must

not be allowed to remain long

solder

the potash

solution, or a portion of the tin contained in the

will

be

dissolved,

and

deposited

on

the articles,

should they be copper or brass,

brass,

and blacken them. Articles of copper, or

require only a few seconds immersion, those of

14
iron,

THE SILVER PLATER'S HAND-BOOK.

or steel, a

somewhat longer time. All articles should be well washed in clean water, immediately after taking them out of the potash
solution,
after

which they should be treated

the
fully

some of order to more

with
depositing
brass, or

different acid

solutions,

in

prepare the surface for the

Ail
articles

solution.

of

copper,

German

silver,

should be dipped into

of

solution

consisting

water

four

parts,

sulphuric acid four parts, nitric acid two parts,

which a very small quantity of muriatic acid added. Articles of iron should be dipped in a mixture composed of one part of sulphuric acid and fifteen or twenty parts of water, and then well washed. Articles of lead, brittannia metal, or pewter, after having been treated with the potash solution and rinsed may be placed at once in the plating solution. It is a much better plan, however, to coat them, and articles of iron and steel also, with a thin film, of copper by means of one of the following
to

may be

solutions before attempting to plate

cither gold, silver or nickel.

them with For depositing a thin

coating of copper on iron or steel use a

weak

and

slightly acidulated

solution of sulphate of

copper,

(blue vitriol)

rub the itrfkles briskly

THE SILVER PLATER

HAND-BOOK.

15

with a cloth moistened with this Hquid, and as

have thj desired appearance, wash and dry them quickly or they may simply be immersed in the liquid for a short time, and then thoroughly washed, and dried.
soon as
tliey

them

well

This solution

is

not adapted for any other metals

steel,

except iron and

in its operation.

and

is

not always certain

use a battery and an alkaline

be prepared

in

and best way is to solution, which may the following manner: Add to
surest,

The

a solution of sulphate of copper, a

solution of

cyanide of potassium just as long, but no longer

than
it

forms a precipitate

the cyanide solution

last in

should be added slowly, and towards the

small quantities at a time, with frequent stirring,

carefully

observing when

it

precipitate,
it

which

is

cyanide of copper.

no longer forms a Allow

and pour off the clear liquid, to settle, wash the precipitate well by filling the vessel with water, stirring it up, and aftei it has settled
again

pouring

off the

water,

repeating

the
all

operation several times, in order to remove

traces of acid,

then add to the wet cyanide of

copper, a

little

more
is

of a solution of cyanide of
it,

potassium than
that
is,

required simply to dissolve

add thej:yanide of potassium

solution, to

16

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK,

it

the wet cyanide of copper^ until

solved
;

is

all

dis-

then add a

little
is

more of the cyanide

solution to form what

termed "free cyanide/'

battery of from one to
in
all

This solution should be used at a temperature

of about 150*^ Fahr.

three

cells,

such as are used

telegraph

offices, will

be

sufficient for all ordinary

opera
in
it

tions.

To

use this solution,

in'kmerse
it

clean sheet of copper and attach

to the

wire

leading from the copper pole of the battery, and

the

previously

well

cleaned

articles

of

iron,

steel, lead, brittannia

metal, and in fact almost

any

tnetal to the wire leading

from the zinc pole

should

of the

battery.
in

The

articles

be

im-

mersed

the solution

before being connected

to the battery,

and the wire should be detached

The from them before taking them out of it, amount of battery should be adjusted to the
amount of
be plated.
small articles
to the

surface presented

by the

articles to

The

smaller the

articles,

the

less

battery power will be required.

number of

may be

attached to each other, or

and be plated at one time. If too much battery be used, the copper will be deposited in the form of a dark metallic powder. This solution is rather difficult to manage, and is
wire,

same

THE SILVER plater's HAND BOOK.

more expensive than
of

IT

a simple acidulated solution

sulphate

of copper.

This

latter solution,
iron,
steel,

however, cannot be used to plate

lead,

brittannia

metal, etc,

unless

they have
in

previously received a thin deposit of copper

the cyanide solution.

used
ide

in

precisely the

The sulphate solution is same manner as the cyanIn copper-

solution,
it

and where heavy deposits arc

desired,

is

much
this

to be preferred.

ing articles

in

way, preparatory to plating

a thin deposit will be

them with another metal,

sufficient,

but as

we have
will

stated

before,

the
the

sulphate solution
articles

not

answer, unless

have previously received a thin deposit

of copper, and

we must per
in

force

first

use the

cyanide solution, or

the case of iron and steel

resort to the rather uncertain

method

of rubbing
a

them

with

rag,

moistened with
from
the

slightly

acidulated solution of the sulphate.

After

re-

moving the

articles

solution,

they
if

should be well washed and examined, and

any imperfections be discovered, the cleaning and scouring operation will have to be done over again, and th*^ plating repeated, but by
using a proper
will

amount

of care the

first

attempt

generally prove successful.

NICKEL PLATING WITHOUT A BATTERY,

The commonest
chloride,
sulpliate

salts of nickel are

the nitrate,

and oxide.

obtained by
nitric acid,

dissnlvini:^ tlie

The nitrate is metal in warm dihited

gentle
cooling.

heat

and evaporating the mixture by a until the residue solidifies upon

is

The oxide

made by adding

to

solution

of the nitrate, or other

common

salt

of

nickel, a solution of potash,

til

or caustic soda, un-

no longer forms a precipitate. There is no danger of adding too much o( either potash or
it

soda,

as the oxide

it

forms

is
;

not soluble
the

in

solution

of either

of

them

preci[)itate

which

is

oxide of nickel, sliould be collected by

filter

means of a
nitric,
is

and dried.

It

is

a black

pow-

der, insoluble in water, but dissolves readil}^ in

muriatic or sulphu-ic acid.

The sulphate
nitrate,

obtained
or

by dissolving
oxide
in

either the

chloride

quantity

of diluted

sulphuric
nearly

acid,

and

evaporating the mixture

to dryness,

when

it

will solidify

upon

THE SILVER Plater's hand-book.

cooling.

JO

A
of

solution

of the nitrate

of nickel

may be
current
solution

obtained by passing a tolerably strong

electricity

through a
dilute

very dilute
plates

of nitric acid,

by means of two

of nickel,

or

by

using a

solution

of

muriatic acid, the chloride

may be

obtained, and

with a dilute solution of sulphuric acid, a solution of the sulphate

is

produced.

Nickel

is

too

highly electro positive a metal to

be readily
are

deposited upon

other metals,

unless they

more
tutes

electro

positive than

itself.

This consti-

one of the greatest

difficulties in the

of successful nickel plating,

but one which

way we

think

may be "overcome by
cleaned
silver,

a careful

observance
of

of the directions given.

Thoroughly
brass,
steel,

articles

copper,

and German
pewter,
received
a

and articles of iron,

etc.,

type metal

that have pre-

viously

deposit of

copper by the

battery process,
readily in

may

be coated with nickel very

:

the following solution

Add

to

boiling solution of pure tin tarter, a small quantity will

of nickel oxide heated to redness,

which

impart a greenish

tint to

the liquid.

Use
in
it

the solution hot, and

stir

the articles about

with a brass rod until they have acquired a good

20
deposit,

THE SILVER PLATER 's HAND BOOK.

then
if

take

them

out,

wasli

and dry
finely

them, and

necessary, polish

them with

powdered
very

clialk

This solution should yield a

and is comparatively easy to manage, but the immersion of the least parbrilliant deposit
ticle

of zinc or iron

in

it

will
it.

greatly impair

its

action,

and perhaps ruin

ELEOTEO NICKEL PLATING,

There are quite a number of solutions used by different platers, for depositing nickel by means of the electric current, any of which are
capable
of doing excellent

work,

but

in

the
all

hands of

an

inexperienced

person,

they

prove rather
slowly
nickel,

difficult to

manage.
is

and perhaps the best solution,

a

The simplest, made by adding

or chloride of

to a solution of nitrate,

solution

of cyanide of potassium as
is

long as a precipitate, or cloud

the
clear
it

formed, pour off

precipitate,

liquid.
in

Wash
a

the

and

dissolve

strong solution of cyanide of

potassium, adding

very
is

little

more of the

cyanide solution, than

solve
it.

required simply to dis-

Another, and a very good solution

nickel plating,
is

for electro-

simply solution of chloride of

very white and
is

nickel, and^yields a
posit.
Still

brilliant de-

another solution

composed of

sulphate of nickel two parts, tartaric acid (dis-

22
solved

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

in

water) one part, and

potash (concentartaric

trated lye) one-tenth

part, or the
little in

acid

and potash may be a very

figures

excess of the
the
solution.

given

without
is

injuring

This solution we think

capable of giving bet-

ter results than either ot the others,

more
quite

simple
a

in

its

preparation.

and is much There are

to a

number

of other solutions used

greater or less extent by different electro platers,

but their preparation and maintenance involve

difficult

and complex operations that necessitate

a thorough knowledge of chemistry and for that

reason would be out of place here.

MANAGEMENT OF NICKEL PLATING

LUTIONS.

SO-

Nickel plating solutions are more

difficult to

manage than those of gold. The amount of

solution

either copper, silver or

nickel salts held in

the

may

vary
its

considerably

without
three to

materially affecting
eight ounces of the

working.

From

combined salts per gal on of water makes a very good working solution. When it contains -less than this amount the working of the solution is retarded by the increased resistence
electric current,
it

offers to the

passage of the

and when it contains more than the proper amount, the chemical action is impeded by the solution being too nearly saturated. Electro plating is the product of electro
chemical action, this phenomenon being called
electro chemical action from the fact that a current
liquid
tricity

of electricity passing through

a suitable

Elecproduces a chemical change in it. being the cause and chemical action the

24
result,

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

hence the importance of having a solu-

tion that
at the

is a good conductor of electricity and same time one that is capable of sustaining the proper amount of chemical action neces-

sary for

its

successful operation.
it is

Nickel beir-g

a very brittle metal,

suitable anodes.

rather difficult to obtain

are generally

They

composed
of
the

of plates of cast nickel,

and should present a

than
that

surface
articles

considerably
to

larger

be plated.

Where anodes
in

of cast

nickel cannot
nickel

be obtained small Iragments of

the
solution by

may
ot a
is

be suspended
a metal that
It

means
its

frame work of platinum wire.

is

Nickel

seldom obtained

in

pure

state.

generally containing traces of

dis-

copper, carbon and other impurities which,

solving with the anode, are either deposited or

fall

to the

bottom and form a black sediment.

its

It is

a difficult matter to obtain a heavy deposit

of nickel, owing to
scale
off,

tendency to crack and

is

but for ordinary work there

no parit

ticular necessity in
is

having a thick deposit, as

so extremely hard that a very thin coating

will,

with ordinary usage, last for years where a

deposit of silver equally as thick would scarcely

last as

many months.

Nickel

is

not affected to

THE SILVER PLATER's HANDBOOK.

25

any great extent by exposure to the air or coal smoke, and in this respect it possesses an advantage over silver which is easily tarnished by Nickel is very exposure to sulphuretted gases. easily corroded by acids and lorms very poisonous
used

compounds,
in

and

for

this

reason

should

never be

used for plating the interior of vessels

;

cooking

but for plating such articles as

cream pitchers,
etc.,
it

sugar

bowls,

drinking

cups,

possesses the great advantage of being

of retaining
for a
its

capable

polish

and

resisting

rough usage
ally

long time.
cells of

P'rom one to three

be sufficient
;

battery will generbattery causing the

too

much
in

metal to be deposited

the form of a black

in

powder.
nickel

plate of nickel, or

The anode, either composed

the form of a
of

of fragments

suspended in a platinum wire net work, should be attached to the wire leading from the copper pole of the battery, and the previously
cleaned articles, after being placed
tion,
in thc^^soju-

should be attached to

the

wire

leading

from the zinc pole of the battery and kept in gentle but constant motion and as near as possible to the

tact with

i(,

anode without coming in actual conuntil they have acquired a sufficient

3

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

deposit,

'26

when they may be taken out and well by rolling them about in hot sawdust. All the solutions we
rinsed in hot water and dried

have given should be used from_ioo to 150 Fahr.

at a

temperature of

SILVEE PLATING WITHOUT A BATTERY.

Quite a namber of the different

silver plating

salts

of

sil-

ver have been used in forming preparations for

by

this

method, which, by the way,

of silver plating, as but

hardly merits the

name

a very thin film of metal can be deposited with-

out the aid of a battery, but for small articles of

ornament not subject to much hard usage this Most of the salts of silver are made from the nitrate, which is formed by dissolving small fragments of silver in a warm mixture composed of one part of water and four or five parts of the
process of silvering answers very well.
strongest nitric acid.
the liquid
is

Care must be taken that

over and a portion of
water.
in

not too hot nor the silver added

it

too rapidly, or
it

will boil
it

be

lost.

Should
of

threaten to do so, add a

small

quantity

cold

The

whole

operation should be conducted

or where there
is

the open air

sufficient draft to carry off the

noxious fumes that arise from the mixture while

28

THE SILVER FLATEr's HAND BOOK.

is

the silver
solve no

being dissolved.
it

When

it

will

dis-

more metal and crystallized. The

silver,

should be evaporated
is

resultant' salt

nitrate of

which should be kept

in a well

stoppered
chloride
salt

bottle protected t'rom the light.

is

The
until

formed by adding a solution of

common
it

to a solution of nitrate of silver,

will

no

longer form a precipitate, which should be carefully filtered

and washed and be protected from

salt is

the light.

This

more frequently used

salts.

in

making compounds
tery, than

for silvering

without a bat^

any of the other

is

This process
subject to

more

particularly adapted to

the plating of small articles, where they are not

much

wear, and consequently only a

of silver
is

very

thin

coating

required

the

deposit looking fully as well as

at

tides plated

by

the battery process.

The
a large

following solutions

and at and are them to form

the articles

we have selected from number as being the most economical the same time, simple and efficacious, used by adJing sufficient warm water to
;

a thin paste,

and rubbing

it

over

with a
until

soft rag,

or stirring

them

about
coated.

in

it
I

they have become thoroughly

parts

St.

Take equal

of chloride of

THE
silver
salt

SILVE:R plater's

HAND-BOOK.

29

and cream of tarter. 2d. Take common and cream of tarter each six parts, chloride of silver one part and about two parts of alum. A p^ood liquid solution is made by dissolving in boiling water a mixture composed of chloride of
silver

one part and cream

of tarter

sixty

or

eighty parts.

The
in

articles to

be plated should

be placed
stirred

in a

small basket and immersed and

the boiling liquid.
solutions can only be

around

The above mentioned

used for plating articles of brass, copper or Ger-

man

silver,

or articles of other metals that have

previously received a coating of copper.

liquid solution, after continued
a greenish color, per, use,

The

becomes of
have been
causes

caused by the presence of cop-

dissolved
in
it.

from

articles

that

plated

The presence

of the least particle

of iron,

steel,

lead or brittannia metal,

the copper to be deposited, thus spoiling the

appearance of the
however,
provided
will
it

articles.

An

old solution,

work much

better than a

new

one,

has been well taken care of and has

it

been properly managed, and

b> occasionally adding small
ride of silver,

may

be renewed
for a

quantities of chloin

and thus kept

good order

30

THE SILVER PLATEr's HANIVBOOK.

In using these solutions, as well as

long time.
all

other plating solutions,

the

articles

to

be

plated must first be made very clean and smooth, and the solutions kept at a uniform temperature.

SILVEE

PLATING

BY

THE

BATTEEY

PEOCESS.

Quite a number of the

salts

of silver have
silver plating
all

been used

in

forming solutions for

by means

of the electric current,

of which

have proved

more
is

or less successful,

but the

solution that has the best stood the test of time

and experience,
solution,

the

commonly

called cyanide

and which may be formed either by chemxal means, or by means of an electric current. The former method, we think, is to be
preferred, especially

when the operation

is

to

be

conducted by those havuig but little experience To prepare the solution by in such matters.
this
in

method, make a solution of

nitrate of silver

the proportion of about one pint of water to

each half ounce of nitrate of silver; also have prepared a solution of cyanide of potassium in the proportion of about two ounces of cyanide
of

potassium

to

one

quart of

water,

which

should be added to the solution of nitrate of

32
silv^er
is

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

as long as

any precipitate is formed (which Should too much be added some of this precipitate will be redis
the cyanide of silver.)

solved and wasted.

clear

This

will

be indicated by a

and

slightly di.scolored tint being imparted

to the liquid,
solution passes.

where the cyanide of potassium Should this be the case, add a

weak

solution of nitrate of silver in small quana time,

tities at

and

at

the

same time
it

stirring
a

the liquid gently as long as

produces

light
is

cloudy appearance.
necessary
utilized,
in

This amount
all

of care

order that

of the silver
or too

may be
of the
silver

as

when too much

is

little

cyanide solution

added, some of the

In

remains held
case,
silver
in

in

the solution.

the

former

the

shape of the double cyanide of

and potassium, and when too little is added the silver remains in the clear portion of
in

the solution

the form of nitrate of silver, but

when

just
is

the proper

amount

is

added,

all

of

the silver

precipitated in the form of the sim-

ple cyanide of silver.

After the exact neutral

paint has been attained, allow the liquid to settle,

and pour
the

off the clear liquid, carefully pre-

serving

precipitate

which should be well

washed by adding a quantity of water, stirring

THE SILVER PLATER

it

HAND BOOK.
it

deJ

up thoroughly, and
the
clear
liquid,

after

has settled pour

the

off

repeating

operation

several times

until all traces of acid

have been
as

removed.

The wash
poured
in

waters,

as

well

ihe

clear liquid first

off should

be preserved
traces of
to the

and tested
silver

order to
contain.

recover any

they

may

Next add

wet

precipitate a strong solution of cyanide

of po-

tassium until barely the whole of

leaving a clear and light

it is

dissolved,

The cyanide
stirred
tle.

solution

amber colored liquid. should be added in small

quantities at a time,

and the solution thoroughly

upon each addition, then allow it to setShould any of the precipitate then remain undissolved, add a little more of the cyanide
solution, stir briskly,

and allow
having

it

to settle,

reis

peating the operation until barely the whole

dissolved,

and
tlie

finally

observed

how

much

of

cyanide of potassium solution was

required to merely dissolve the precipitate, add

about one third to^one half as much more of

in

it,

order to form what

is

called

"free cyanide,"

and then add enough water to dilute the whole to the proportion of about two ounces of nitrate
of silver

per gallon
is

or

more

of

the solution.
use.

The

solution

then ready for

immediate

34

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

There are
also
ot

other than this

quite a number of methods making the cyanide solution,

but

all

of them necessitate

the introduction

of

various impurities that are often highly detri-

mental

for instance,

suppose we add a solution

will dissolve,

of cyanide of potassium to a solution of oxide

of silver as long as
the
usual

it

and then add

part of

amount
or
if

of

free

cyanide

the cyanide of potassium will be converted into

caustic potash,

chloride of silvei be
part
of the

used

instead

of th

oxide,

cyanide of
of
it

potassium
potash,
will

will
if

be

converted into chloride

or

the nitrate of silver be used,

produce almost an equal amount of the

is

nitrate of potash as an impurity in the solution.

Nor
of

this process
it

an economical one by any

means, as

requires exactly the

same amount
it

cyanide of potassium to convert

given,

into
is

the

plating solution as where the solution

made

by the method we have

it

first

and besides
satisfac-

has the very great disadvantage of introducsolution.

ing impurities very detrimental to the

tory working of the

The

strength of silver plating solutions

may

vary greatly without materially affecting their operation, some platers doing excellent work

THE SILVER PLATEr's HANDBOOK.

35

with solutions containing half an ounce of silver

per gallon, and others using solutions containing
several ounces of silver, and almost as many pounds of cyanide of potassium. A good working solution should contain from one to

three ounces of silver per gallon, converted into

cyanide,

and from

thirty to

fifty

per cent, of

free cyanide.

good

solution should not have

it

a corroding effect on the base metals because

is

those

metals

we wish

to plate,

and

if

the

solution should have

a corroding effect

upon

them,
tion

it

will infallibly
off.

cause the deposit to strip

plating soluprocess, with

and scale
but very
possesses

The cyanide silver may be made by the battery

little

trouble,
to

prefer this

method

and some electro platers any other, but while it

of simplicity,
it

the advantage

also

has the disadvantage of forming a small quantity

of potash

in

the solution.

This,

however,

may

be remedied by the addition of a small

quantity of the strongest prussic acid,

which

converts the caustic potash into cyanide.

To
a

make

the

solution

by
in
it

this

process,

make

moderately strong solution of cyanide of potas-

sium and suspend

a large

anode and a

small cathode of silver and then pass a strong

36

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND-BOOK.

it

current of electricity through sheet of copper substituted for

until

a clean

a short time for

of

the small silver cathode, receives a oood deposit silver, or until the solution contains about

one ounce of silver per gallon which may be determined by weighing both the anode and the cathode before placing them in the solution and then weighing them from time to time, until the proper amount of silver is known to have been diss;>lved, the solution is then ready for use. The silver deposited by these solutions has a frosted appearance, and must be burnished in
order to

make them

bright,

or

they

may

be

placed

in a

specially prepared solution in

order

to deposit a coating of bright silver

This brightening solution

is

upon them. prepared by tak-

ing one pint of the ordinary silver plating solution, containing about two pounds of cyanide of potassium per gallon, and add to it two ounces of bisulphide of carbon, two of strong
liquor
well.

ammonia and one

Let
it

of ether,

and shake

stand at least twenty-four hours, shaking it occasionally, and then add the clear liquid to the ordinary silver plating solution, with gentle
stirring in the proportion of

one ounce

to

every
a

ten

gallons.

This would

make

less

than

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

small teaspooiifuU per gallon.

37

This brightening
the above propor-

mixture should be added

tions

in

about every other day, but great care must be observed that too much is not used, as more solutions have been ruined by the excess of the brightening solution, than by all other It is best to add but very causes put together. from the \Vorking of the little at first, and if solution, you conclude it needs more, then add
a

very

little

very

least possible
effect.

more taking care to use only the amount necessary to produce

If

the desired

too

much

is

added,

it

will

cause the articles to have a dull and dark appearance, and perhaps to have dark streaks or
spots on them.

As
is

often as a quantity of the

brightening liquid

used, add a similar

solution,

of the ordinary plating

or the

amount same

amount

of a solution of cyanide of potassium,

containing

sium per gallon.

is

pounds of cyanide of potasAnother brightening solution prepared by taking one quart of ordinary
two
plating
liquid

about a half pound of cyanide of potassium, and adding to shaking it two ounces of bisulphide of carbon,
silver

containing

and then set aside for a day or two, and adding to the ordinary plating solution in the
well,

38

THE SILVER PLATER'S HAND-BOOK.

as the
first

same proportion

liquid

we mention,

always replacing the amount used by a similar

amount of the ordinary silver plating solution, and shaking well. The "bright" solution is
only used to
finish

articles in

they having pre-

viously received a deposit in the ordinary plat-

ing solution, and then transferred immediately

to

the

"bright"
the

solution.

Now

having

de-

scribed

different
will give

methods of making the

the reader a few practical

solutions,

we

hints as to their

management.
and German
silver

Copper, brass,
coated with silver
metal,

become

much

easier than
all
first

any other

and

for

this
if

reason

articles of other

metals should,

possible,

receive a deposit

of copper before attempting to plate

silver.

them with

This, however,

is

not absolutely neces-

by means of the electric current. All articles must of course be made perfectly clean before attempting to plate them and when the cleaning operation has been concluded, great care must be taken to prevent them coming in contact with anything that would tarnish them in the least, handling them
sary,

when

plating

only

with metallic

hooks or tongs and never

with the naked hand.

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

Articles of iron and steel are
in a
first

39

immersed

hot and strong- potash solution, then dipped

a short
-

for

time only

in a

liquid

prepared as

follows

Take one

pint

of water,

add
in
it

to

it

slowly two ounces of sulphuric acid

that has

had a small piece of zinc dissolved

then add one ounce of
nitric acid
;

and

This should
a

give the articles a clean bright appearance.

They may then be

plated with copper

in

cyanide solution as previously described or they

may be

placed

in

the

ordinary silver

plating

solution, using a

strong battery of considerable

or until they have acquired

"quantity" at

first,

a thin deposit,

when

the battery should be re-

duced
is

to the ordinary strength, until the deposit

sufficiently heavy.

All articles should be suspended

tion

in

the solu-

by means of a wire

or

hook of the same

or similar metal, small articles may be strung on a wire of the same metal as the contact of
different metals in the solution
stain.
is

apt to leave a

Articles of copper, brass and

after

German

silver,

being thoroughly cleaned by means of the

potash and acid solutions, should be immersed

in

the following solution and then well rinsed in

40

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

them
in

clean water just previous to placing

silver solution
in
:

the

Dissolve one ounce of mercury

a mixture composed of nitric acid one part and water three parts, add no more mercury

than

the

acid will

dissolve, dilute

it

with

as

much more water and add

cipitate but

a strong solution of
it

cyanide of potassium as long as

forms a pre-

and wash

it

no longer. Collect the precipitate two or three times with clear water,
it

then add to

with occasional stirring a strong

it is

solution of cyanide of potassium until

dissolved, then add a
little

all

more
to

of the cyanide

solution and

enough water

make
will

the whole

measure a gallon.

This solution

cover the
will

articles with a thin coating of

mercury and

generally insure a firm adherent deposit.

murany longer than is necessary to make them look white, and should be well rinsed in water after taking them out, in order to remove all excess of it.
Th<^ articles should not remain in the
curic solution

The
ly

solution will last a long time, but

it

final-

becomes weak and impure from continued It use, and blackens the articles immersed in it. to is then better to make a new solution than try to revive the old one, almost any salt of

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

mcixury may be
ing" solution.
tity

41
of

dissolved

in

solution

cyanide of potassium to be used as a

"quick-

For

instance,

dissolve a quan-

of red precipitate in an excess of a solution

;

of cyanide of potassium

that

is,

add the red

will

precipitate as long as the cyanide solution

dissolve

it;

then add a small quantity of the

cyanide solution.

The mercuric solution may be prepared in a number of ways, but the result is practically The forming of a solution of the same, viz.
:

the double cyanide of mercury and potassium.

The brightening
solution
;

solution

works slower and

ordinary
ten
to

requires a stronger battery than the

it

generally

requiring

from

twenty minutes
bright.

for the articles to

is

become wholly
harder.

The

deposit

also

much

When
tion they

the articles are once placed in the solu-

must not be moved or disturbed until is completed, and where a number of articles are being brightened at the same time none of them must be taken out or disturbed in any way until all of them have bethe operation

come

bright.

When

the articles have

bright disconnect

become sufficiently them from the battery and

4

42

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

remove them from the solution and place them in boiling water and allow them to remain there a few minutes, then take them out and dry them.
immediately

GOLD PLATING WITHOUT A BATTERY.

Chloride of gold
other

is

the salt generally used in

in

making gilding solutions and

salts

preparing the
is

of gold.

The

chloride of gold

prepared by dissolving gold in a warm aquaregia which is a mixture composed of one part of nitric acid and two or three of muriatic acid. The gold should be cut up in small pieces and added slowly, care beii^taken not to inhale the The gold gases that arise from the mixture. dissolves very slowly but by gently heating the Four ounces mixture its action is quickened.
of this liquid will dissolve about one ounce of gold, and form nearly one and a third ounces of

chloride of gold.

When
it

the solution has dissolved

it

all

the gold

can, evaporate
will

with gentle heat to a small

bulk which

solidify
is

when

cooled.

The

re-

sultant yellow salt

is

the chloride of gold which

soluble in water.

gold contain traces of silver and this metal may now be observed m

Almost

all

articles of

44

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

silver,

the solution in the form of chloride of

which

is

a white

substance and
if

insoluble
desired,

in

water, which

may be removed,
liquid,

by

pouring ofT the clear

gold
in

which holas the

behind the
white

solution,

leaving

chloride of silver,

which should be preserved.

Any dark
dissolve
is

or brownish substance that will not

very likely metallic gold formed by

re-

the chloride being over heated and should be

converted into chloride.

A solution of gold forms upon the addition of ammonia, a brown precipitate which, when dry, is one of the most po\^rful and dangerous ex plosives known, and ^ffich detonates with the
least friction or percussion.

One

little

accident

of this kind will put a sudden stop to

any

fur-

ther experiments,

therefore great care should

if

be taken to prevent its formation, or to prevent its becoming dry.

formed

The
in

gilding solution

is

prepared as follows;

Dissolve one pennyweight of chloride of gold

a gallon

and a

half of water

add nine

ounces of caustic potash, one ounce of carbonate of potash,

and half an ounce of cyanide of

potash.

This solution should be used very hot,

but not quite at the boiling point.

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

45

The
brass

previously cleaned articles of copper or

are

immersed

for

short

time

in

this

solution,
dried.

when they should be taken out and

Should a thicker coating be desired
in

they should then be dipped

the cyanide of
after

mercury solution (see page 40) and then rinsing them, be immersed in the gilding
tion again.
tinses

solu.

By

repeating this operation several

deposit

a very thick

may

be obtained
tlie

capable of resisting the action of

acids for a long time.

strongest

This process of gold plating

larly

is

more

particu-

adapted to

tlie

plating of articles not sub-

ject to

much

handling, as generally only a very

is

thin coating

obtained by

it.

The work done

fully as well as

by

this

method, however, looks

done by the battery process, and to those having no knowledge ot the art of electrothat

metallurgy

is

somewhat more
also

simple.

The

solution

improves

with

constant

usage, acquiring a greenish tint from the pres-

ence of copper dissolved t'rom the articles that This however, does I'.ave been plated in it.
not interfere with
great deal of
it

its

working unless there

,

is

held

in solution

then

it

may be

46

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

and impart a darker
its

deposited with the gold,

color to
it.

As

the solution gradually loses

it

gold

by-

being deposited,
time to time,
gold dissolved
strengthen
it,

is

necessary to add, from

order

a small quantity of chloride of

in

little

water,

in

to

and after three or four such additions it may be necessary to add a small amount of the other salts, always preserving the proper proportions. By this means the solution may be kept in good working order for an indefinite length of time.

GOLD PLATING BY THE BATTERY PROCESS.

means of the may, like those for silver plating be made either by the aid of a battery, or by the chemical process that made by the chemical process being more quickly made and we
electric current
;

Solutions for gold plating by

think capable of giving better satisfaction to the

inexperienced.
Tiie solution

made by

the battery process has

a
trifle

the advantage of being perhaps

more

economical, and for this reason

is

often preferred

by the experienced

electro plater.

To make

the solution

by the chemical

process,

dissolve about one

and a half ounces of chloride

of gold in water or convert a little over an ounce of gold into chloride and dissolve in
water,

sium,

slowly

and add a solution of cyanide of potasand at intervals with frequent

long as
it

stirring just as

produces a precipitate,

but no longer.

Great care must be taken to

48

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

is,

attain the exact neutral paint, that

when

it

no longer produces
tion

a precipitate

upon the

addi-

of a

very

small

quantity

of either

the

cyanide or the chloride of gold solution.

A
be

small

quantity

of

the

chloride

of gold

solution should be reserved

for this purpose, set

and
not

slightly diluted
all

and

if it

is

used

it

may
for

away and protected fiom

the^light

future use.

Should the solution contain an

either the

excess

of

chloride or the cyanide

some of the

gold

will

be held

poured

off,

in the clear solution and be hence the importance of exercising

great care in this respect.

When
liquid,

the exact
it

neutral paint

has been
off the

at-

tained, allow

to settle

and pour

clear

which should be preserved in order to recover any traces of gold it may contain. Then wash the precipitate well by adding water, stirring briskly, and after it has settled, pouring
off the clear liquid,

repeating the operation a

as. to

number of times
traces of acid.

so

thoroughly remove

all

The wash

waters should be preserved as they

also are liable to contain traces of gold.

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

49

After the last wash water has been poured off pour the precipitate into a paper filter, add a small quantity of water and allow it to drain
thoroughly, but not to become dry, as
possibly contain a small
it

may

amount of the

fulmi-

nate of gold which

is

an extremely dangerous

substance, and detonates with terrible violence

upon the
it

slightest friction or percussion.

When
collect

the precipitate has thoroughly drained,

in

a suitable

vessel

and add to

it

strong

solution

of

cyanide of potassium until barely

it

the

whole of
to

is

dissolved,

then,

having

observed the amount of cyanide solution neces

sary

the precipitate, add about one-fourth as much more to form what is termed by electro platers "free cyanide" and

merely

dissolve

finally dilute the

whole with clean water

of gold
in

to

one

gallon.

The amount

the

solution

may

vary greatly from the amount

its

we have
in

given without injury to

working, but
it

order

to obtain the best results

less

should not contain

than one half an ounce, nor more than ten

ounces of gold per gallon.

solution gives a
less rapid in its

rather

dilute
is

somewhat

better deposit but

operation than a stronger one.

.00

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

To prepare
a

the gilding solution

battery, dissolve

by means of two pounds of cyanide of

in one gallon of warm water, immerse two sheets of pure gold in this solution

potassium

and connect them to a moderately strong battery, and allow them to remain in this position and occasionally stirring the liquid, until the proper amount of gold has been dissolved and held in solution. This may be determined by weighing both sheets of gold before placing them in the solution, and then by taking them out of the solution occasionally and weighing
them, the amount of gold held in solution may be very easily determined. Still another and a better means of ascertaining

when

the solution

is

ready for use,

is

to

occasionally substitute for

a short time a bright

light colored brass
finally
is

and clean sheet of copper, or

for

the gold cathode, until

it

receives a

satisfactory deposit.
for

The

solution
at a

then ready

work and should be used

temperature of

about 150^ Fahr.

PMOTIOAL OPERATION OF GILDING

LUTIONS.

SO.

All solutions for gold plating should be used

at

temperature of
in

about

150 Fahr.,

and

when not
purities.

use should
it

be carefully covered

over to protect
tion

from the dust and other imof gold held in the soluaffectit

The amount

may
it

vary greatly without materially

ing

working, provided always, that

also

contains a proportionate

amount of cyanide of
solution

potassium.
ide

The

proportions of gold and cyanin

of potassium

the

may

vary

within certain limits, generally from twent>-five

to
fifty

per cent,

more than
its

is

required

to

simply dissolve the cyanide of gold (see page

49) without impairing
usefulness.

Too much cyanide

of potassium

causes the

deposit to have a dirty discolored appearance.

After the solution has been

in

use for

some
dis-

time

it

often

works badly

in

consequence of the

proportions of gold and cyanide becoming

K7

THE SILVER PLATER

This
is

HAND-BOOK.

arranged.

caused sometimes by using

surface

anodes

with greater or less

than

the

articles to

be plated.
the anode presents a larger surface in
the

When
solution

the solution than the articles to be plated,

rapidly

becomes

richer in gold,

which

up forming the double cyanide of gold and potassium, leaving but very little or none at all
uniting with the free cyanide, soon uses
in
it all

to form the

"free cyanide" so essential to

its

perfect working.

This condition is indicated by the anode becoming covered v^ith crust or sediment, and is remedied by using an anode with smaller surface than the articles to be plated, or a sufficient

amount

of a solution of cyanide of potassium

may

be added.
the anode

When

becomes

black, and has a

slimy appearance, the solution needs more gold,

which may be supplied by using an anode of

greater surface until the solution
erly proportioned,
is

again prop-

which will be indicated by the anode remaining bright and clean and giv-

ing a
these

good
the

deposit.

By

carefully

observing

indications,

and

applying

the
in

proper
order

remedy,

solution

may be

kept

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

53

almost indefinitely, but after very long continued

becomes contaminated with various imsome of them accidentally introduced, and others set free by the dissolving of the
use
it

purities,

anode.

Gold anodes invariably contain traces of silver, which is dissolved in the solution, and by
being deposited with
paleness of color.
the

gold

increases

its

When

from any of these

reasons the solution ceases to work satisfactorily,

all

the metal held

in

solution
to
start

may

be recovered

separately,

and used

out anew.

DEPOSITING DIFFEEENT SHADES OF GOLD.

The
quite a

color of the deposit

may

be regulated

in

number

of ways, pure gold having too

light a color to be

solution, in

admired by many. which a great many copper

is

An

old

articles

have been plated,

of

capable of yielding different

colored deposits by means of regulating the size

the

anodes,

temperature of

the

solution,

the strength of

the battery, and, in a degree,

the strength of the solution also.

An

old

solution,

that yields a pale yellow

deposit,

when but
is

a small portion of the anode

touches the solution, will yield a darker deposit

when when

the anode
it is

further immersed,

and

finally,

entirely immersed, the deposit will be

of a red color.

The temperature
richer
it

of
it

the solution effects the

color of the deposit,

being
is

much

darker and

when

the solution

used hot than when

claimed by a great
justly
too,

is

used cold,

and

it

is

many

electro-platers,

and

that

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

55

metal deposited from a warm solution is harder, and consequently more durable, than a metal deposited from a cold solution.

The
deal
to

strength of the battery also has a great

do with the color of the deposit, a current producing a much lighter colored deposit than that produced by a much stronger battery. There are, however,
moderately weak
certain
limits regulating

both the temperature

it

and battery power, beyond which

to

is

not safe

venture.

The temperature should never be

of

allowed to greatly exceed 160 Fahr.

The amount
difficult

battery power
it

is

more

matter to determine, as
surface presented

varies with
articles

the

amount of

by the

to be plated.

Generally speaking, three cups of

for
or,

the ordinary Callaud or gravity battery will be

amply
scale,

sufficient

operations on

the

larger
will

while
for

one,

perhaps,
of

two cups
articles,

answer

the

gilding

small

or

electro-plating on a small scale.

Gold deposited by the

deposited with
color or
tint,
it

electric current is not

always pure gold, as other metals are often

in

order to produce the desired

and

in large electro plating estab-

lishments, or where a great variety of

work

is

56
(lone, a

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

number

of gilding solutions are used,

each of them yielding a different colored de-

one solution is capable of and judicious management, a deposit of gold varying in color from the light yellow of almost pure gold, to a deposit
posit.

However,
with

yielding,

careful

so alloyed with copper as to resemble 14 karat

gold,

and which it really In order to accomplish

is.

this,

the solution must

contain a small
is

amount

of copper.

This metal

always present

in old gilding solutions,

caused
dis-

by a very minute portion of the metal being

plated in the solution.
of metal dissolved

solved from each article of copper that has been

Of course
in

the

amount
article is

from each individual

of

very small indeed, but when time a great

siderable,

the course of
plated,
is

many

them have been

the aggregate of the dissolved copper

con-

change the color of the deposit. A freshly made solution used quite hot, with a large gold anode and a tolersufficient to

and quite

ably strong battery, will generally give a

factory deposit, but should
it still

satis-

be

of too light

a color, remove the gold anode and substitute in

its

place a clean one of copper and

work the
begins to

solution

with

it

until

the

deposit

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

slightly

57

change

its

color,

with the gold anode.

If the

and then replace it copper anode has

it,

been weighed before, and again just after using as above mentioned, it will be discovered
it

that a portion of
solution,

has been dissolved

in

the

which
it

by being deposited with the

gold gives

a richer and darker color.

To
to

obtain a green colored deposit, add a small

quantity of the ordinary silver plating solution

the gilding
solution,

with

gentle

stirring,

taking care to add just enough to produce the

desired effect, as where too
solution
is

much

of the silver
it.

added

it is

liable to spoil

White
until

gilding

is

produced by adding a
deposit
is

solu-

tion of nitrate of silver to the gilding solution,

the desired colored

obtained,

which must be ascertained by actual

Pink gold
is

trial.

obtained

by

first

plating

the

articles in a cold

and weak solution, with a weak

them another coat in a hot and strong solution that has considerable copper in it, using a more powerful battery in order to obtain a dark colored deposit, then give them an
battery, then giving

exceedingly thin coating

in

the ordinary silver

plating solution, and finally burnish them.

The

coatine of silver should be barelv sufficient to

58

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

if

impart a lighter tinge to the deposit which,

beautiful pink color

the operation has been successful, will be of a

when

burnished.

To
cups,

gild the inside surface of articles, such as

cream

pitchers,

them with the

in

solution,

and similar articles, fill and suspend a gold anode

article itself to the

them, and attach the

wire

leading from the zinc pole of the battery.

lips of the pitcher,

The

and other portions that the may be plated by laying a rag wetted with the gilding solution upon the part, leaving a portion of it immersed in the
solution does not touch,

solution contained in the vessel.

The

outside
it

surface of the article, or that portion of

you

may not want

with a solution
naptha,
or

to

gold

plate,

of

sealing

may be coated wax dissolved in

in

simply painted over with melted

articles

beeswax, and the

solution
in

placed

the gilding
after

the

ordinary way,

and

the

gilding operation has been completed, the

is

wax

easily

removed.

EEPLATING OLD AETIOLES.

In order to obtain a

good

satisfactory deposit
first

upon old
lines,

articles, the

old plating must

be

entirely removed, or they will be apt to

show
be
a

where

ti:e

old and the

new

plating join.

The removing
solution

of

the old deposit

may
in

accomplished, by making them the anode

composed
in

of one

pound of cyanide of
This
iron,

potassium
of

one gallon of water, using a sheet

process
steel,
is

copper for the cathode. always used for articles of

brittania metal,
articles

lead,

and pewter and sometimes for of copper, brass and German silver.

Articles

made
is

of the latter metals are generally

in

"stripped" of their old deposit

tion,

an acid solu-

which

made by adding

a small quantity

of saltpetre

(nitrate of

soda) to a quantity of

hot and strong sulphuric acid sufficient to cover

Should action become slow, it may be quickened by adding more saltpetre, and
the articles.

using the solution at a higher temperture.

60

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

After the old plating has been removed, they

should be well washed

brushed,

in

clean water,

scratch
acid
39,

and

treated

with

the

various

and mercuric solutions

in

as described on

page

order to prepare the surface for the gilding

solution.

The

"stripping" solution will not act

upon the copper or brass base of the articles to any very great extent, unless they are allowed
to

remain

in

it

too long.

should be perfectly dried before immersing them, in order to keep the solution as free from water as possible. This solution is probably the best for operations on a small scale, as the amount, or bulk of it, need not be much more than barely sufficient
articles

The

to cover the articles.

Another solution
acid.

is

prepared by adding ten

parts of strong sulphuric acid to one of nitric

large

quantity of this solution

is re^

quired, which should be kept as free from water

as possible

by taking care
first

that the articles to be

"stripped" are
to prevent

thoroughly dried, and by

it

keeping the vessel containing

its

closely covered
air.

aborbing moisture from the

it

This solution should be used cold, and as

be-

comes weaker, add very small

quantities of nitric

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

acid to
it.

61

The
cause

addition of a small quantity of

it

water

will

to attack the

copper base of

the articles.
In stripping old articles to be replated, care

must be taken
clean,

to

remove every

traces of the old

d posit, in order that the

new one may present

replate
old

smooth and evenly colored appearance.

platers,
first

Some
without

however,

articles

removing the old plating, by washing and scouring them well, then brushing them tlioroughly with a wire scratch brush, (see page 72), and finally, after treating them with the acid and mercuric solution, (see page 40), placing them at once in a tolerable strong silver solution, and using a battery of considerable strength at first, diminishing the battery power
as the plating operation progresses.

This plan
deposit
is

is

not an economical one, as the

doubled

upon

that portion

of the

articles subject to the least wear,

and giving the

other portions a

much

lighter coat,

where they

need

it

the most.

This process also requires

that a thicker plating be deposited, in order to

cover up the lines that are liable to occur where

the old and the

new

deposits join, and which

difficult

by the way,

is

an extremely

matter to

62
do,

THE SILVER FLATEr's HAND BOOK.

as scratches and lines have a tendency to magnify themselves during the platin^^ process, and where a very thick deposit is obtained, a
slight scratch often

becomes a crack of consid

^

erable size.

About the only remedy for this is to take them out of the plating solution quite often and brush them well, and while in the solution they
should be kept
In
in

gentle but constant motion.

old
articles,

re-gilding
first

the old

deposit

be removed by making them the anode in a warm solution composed of one pound of cyanide of potassium in one gallon
should
of
water,

using
all

battery

of

considerable
all

strength until
dissolved.

of the old plating has

well

been

They should then be

in

washed

and brushed
plating

clean water

solution

by

treating

and prepared for the them with the

various acid and mercuric solutions described on

pages 39 and 40.

HOW
One

TO

MAKE A BATTERY.

of the best batteries for

is

electro-plating
battery,

purposes

the

ordinary gravity

of

which there are various styles, all of them, however, being made on the same general plan.

To
two
inches
fasten
rivet

construct a battery of this kind, procure

pieces of sheet copper five or six
long, and about two inches wide and them together by means of a copper

or three

through the center; to the end of one of

the strips fasten a copper wire about a foot long

by means of another copper rivet. The wire must be well insulated except at its two extremities, in order to prevent its being corroded
at the surface of the solution.

India rubber

is

the best substance for this

of

purpose and

is

generally used in batteries

this description,

but where wire already coated

with rubber cannot be procured, a very good

substitute

may

be obtained

wire carefully with tarred twine

by wrapping and giving

th<i
it

64
final

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

coating of melted beeswax, containing a
little lard.

very

The

zinc electrode
it

is

more

difficult to
it

and where

is

convenient

will

make, be more
in

economical to buy them.

They

are

made

number

of shapes, the object being to obtain an

electrode exposing the largest

amount

of surface

to the action of the solution for a given weight

of metal, and a the same time to be of such a shape as to allow the bubbles of hydrogen gas formed by the action of the battery to escape
freely.

very convenient form

is

that of a wheel

with six spokes, the "hub" projecting upward about two or two and a half inches with the

connecting wire cast

in length.

in

the center of

it.

This

wire should be from from from four to six inches

Zincs of this kind are suspended

tion b}^ passing

in the solu-

the wire through a hole in a

small

flat

piece of

wood long enough

and
is

to reach
it

across the vessel,

fastened to

at the

proper height by means oi a small clamp of any kind, or by simply taking a turn of the connecting wire around the supporting stick.

very

good clamp

for securing the

zincs in

position

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

6^J

may be made by drilling a hole large enough to admit the wire, throug a small piece or block of
metal,
angles,

ting

it

and then drilling another hole at right and intercepting the first one, and fitwith a screw, and is used by slipping it
it

over the connecting wire until

rests

on the

wooden support, and means of the screw.

ring with a

fastening

it

to the wire

by

Zincs are often cast

in

the form of a thick

hook shaped projection of the same metal extending upwards about three inches and at right angles with the ring. This zinc is used by attaching it to the jar by simply hook ing it over the edge. The top of the "hook" has two holes drilled in it, intercepting each other, one of them being fitted with a set screw
clamping the connecting wire. There are several other forms of zincs, but these two we have described embody the main features of all the others and of these two we think the first is the best on account of the larger amount of surface exposed and the more
for

economical distribution of the metal.

The dimensions
should be from

of a well proportioned zinc

five to six

inches wide, one inch

66
to

THE SILVER PLATER'S HAND-BOOK.

one inch and a half high, and the spokes and

rim about three-eighths to half an inch thick.

The

jar for containing the battery should

be

about ten inches high and from six to seven inches wide, with straight sides and flat bottom, and may be of either glass or earthen ware.

To

set

the battery in operation,

fill

the jar

with water to within

two inches of the top and

add one pound of sulphate of zinc. When it is all dissolved take the copper electrode and bend the strips outward until their ends are all about equally distant, and place it in the bottom of the jar then add a small handfuU of sulphate of copper and suspend the zinc in the solution, about two inches above the copper, and in a
;

short

time the battery

will

be ready
cell

for

use.

When
tery
at

using more than one jar or

of bat-

one time they should

be connected

together by attaching the zinc of one jar to the

copper of the next, the zinc of the second to the copper of the third, and so on, leaving the copper of the
first

and the

zinc of the last jar

for connecting with the wires leading

trom the

plating solution.

When

not in use the terminal wires should be

in

connected together

order

that

the

battery

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

67

may

continue to work, otherwise

tlie

blue solu-

and in a few days time surround the zinc and soon destroy it. When
tion will gradually raise,

the blue solution has almost disappeared add a few crystals of sulphate of copper. After being in use for some time the solution becomes saturated with sulphate of zinc, which will creep up

the sides and over the top of the vessel and

greatly impair
its

working.

When

this

is

ob-

served draw off about a pint from the fop of the

solution,

and replace

it

with water, taking care

not to

stir

the solution.
is

This form of battery

battery"

termed the "gravity

because the two solutions which are

in
it,

employed

sulphate of zinc and sulphate

of copper, are separated, but allowed to touch

each other by taking advantage of the difference

in their weights,

the sulphate of copper solution

at the

being the heaviest, remaining

bottom sur

rounding the copper electrode, and the sulphate of zinc, being the lightest, remains at the top and
surrounds the
sine.
five or six

After this battery has been in use

months the
copper
in

zincs

will

require

renewing,
greatly

the
in-

the
size,

meantime

having

creased in

the copper of the sulphate of

68

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

been deposited upon
it,

copper havin

while the

hberated sulphuric acid attacked the

ing sulphate of zinc.
the copper has
inch thick,
it

zinc, fornn-

When

the deposit upon

become about a quarter of an should be removed by bending the

It

strip until the deposit cracks.

may

then be
it

easily

removed by
original

inserting a chisel
strip.

between

and the
of

copper

Quite a quantity
be collected
in

perfectly pure

coppei
is

may

this

manner, which

valuable,

and should be

preserved.

The zincs should be taken out at least once a month, and thorougly scraped and cleaned. This battery is preferred for electro-plating operations on account of the steady, uniform carrent it produces, which is a very important
consideration in obtaining a

good
in

deposit.

The
raising

strength of the current

or
a

may

be varied by
solution.

lowering the zinc

current
is

the

When
is

weak
in

desired the zinc should

it

be raised so that but a very small portion of

immersed

the solution, the greatest strength

all

being obtained when

the zincs are wholly

immersed. This battery possesses a very great advantage over all others, from the fact that it always gen-

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK*

69

erates a current of uniform strength during long

continued action, which

batteries,

is

something that other

although generating a more powerful

current, often
easily

tion
fact,

fail to do. It is also much more managed, and requires less care and attento keep it in good working order, and, in

the only objection that can be legitimately

it is,

raised against

that

it

deteriorates rapidly

when

not

in

active service,

the blue vitrol solution,

raising slowly, but surely,

and

finally

surround-

ing

the

zinc,

which
for

is

quickly corroded
it

and

rendered

unfit

use until

has been thor-

oughly cleaned. When there is but little work to do, and the battery forced to remain idle the
greater part of the time, the old style "Daniel"

battery will probably give the best results.

It

consists of a strip of copper five or six inches

wide and
in

fifteen or

eighteen inches long, rolled

fit

the form of a cylinder that will

the inside

of the battery jar loosely.

cylinder
is

Inside of this copper

placed an earthenware cup which, in

of

the

abesnce

regular

porous

cups,

made
consist

especially for this style of battery,

may

of a small unglazed flower pot, the hole in the

bottom being securely stopped up.

Inside of

70
this

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

porous cup
is

placed a bar, or better

still,

a small cylinder of zinc.

To put

the battery in operation,

fill

the outer

jar with a solution of blue vitrol,

and the porous

cup containing the

zinc,

with a tolerably strong

solution of sulphate of zinc, or a mixture of ten

or twelve parts of water, to which one part of

added slowly, may be used vitrol solution must be kept strong, and completely saturated, by carefully
sulphuric acid
instead.
is

The blue

observing that there

is

at all times a

few crystals
fast as

of blue vitrol in the solution, and by adding a

small handfull, from time to time, as

dissolved.

it is

The

zinc

should be supported in
to

some way, and not allowed

touch the
This
is

sides,

or bottom of the porous cup.

usually

accomplished by laying a small stick across the porous cup, and suspending the zinc from it by
the connecting wire.

This battery generates a steady and uniform

cnrrent, but of less strength than that generated

by the "Gravity"
is

battery.

When

the battery

any considerable length of time, the zincs and coppers should be taken out, washed and laid away, and the porous cups removed and the liquid they contain poured
to remain
idle

THE SILVER PLATEr's HAND BOOK.

into a bottle

71

blue vitrol solution

outside
jar,

and preserved for future use. The may remain in the larger which should be carefully covered

over to keep out the dust.

NOTES.

In preparing articles to receive a deposit,

and

also during the plating process, the scratch brush

plays a very important part.

It

is

made by

wrapping a bundle of
tion of

fine

and hard brass wires

leaving a small porstiff

tightly with another wire,

each end free to form a kind of a

brush.

Where

practicable there should be three

or four such brushes of different degree of fine-

ness and temper, or one end of the brush may be anealed so as to be softer than the other end.
It

very often

happens that the deposit

this is the

is

slightly

"off color," or has a gritty, sandy ap-

pearance.

When

case

the articles

should be removed from the plating solution and well brushed and returned for the deposit to be finished.
In

the

larger

electro-plating
is

establishments

the "lathe brush"

used almost exclusively, and

consists of a small
radiate,
lathe.

wheel from which the wires

is

and which

attached the axle of the

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

73

The

"scratch brush"

is

not always absolutely

necessary,

and

may be

dispensed with

when
Its

doing small jobs, but

scale
it

for plating

on the larger
aid.

will

be found a most valuable

uses are manifold.

they should be well brushed immediately upon taking them out of

In

cleansing articles

the potash solution, and also

upon taking them

out of the acid solutions, should they have a

dark or discolored appearance.

When
well

a thick deposit of metal

is

desired they

should be taken out of the plating solution and

brushed

to

secure

regular

and

even

deposit.

Sometimes the articles while in the plating become dark colored and presents a dirty appearance. This is generally caused by the battery power being too great in proportion When this is ob to the size of the articles. them out, wash and served to be the case take brush them well, treat them again with the mercuric solution and try it again, this time, however, reducing the power of the electric current, by lessening the number of cells of the battery used, or else by raising all of the zincs
solution

partly out of the battery solution.

6

74

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

difficuly

The

may

also

be overcome by plating

a greater

number

of articles at the

same
of

time,

the power of the electric current being thereby

distributed

over a great amount

surface.
its

The

solution

may work

badly on account of

being improperly made, or the ingredients be-

coming disproportioned
they

by constant

use,

or

may

contain acids accidentally introduced

that will corrode the articles.

In any case they must be taken out and well washed, and if the
is

difficulty

in

the solution

it

should be remedied

before attempting to plate them again.

After the plating operation has been successfully

*

accomplished the
desired to

articles

should be well

'scratch brushed,"

and then burnished, unless

bright in the bright-

it is

make them
is

ening solution.

The bmnishet'
suitable handle.
after

a very hard and smooth piece

of steel, highly polished,

and and

fitted

with a

The

articles to

be burnished,

being well scratch brushed, are moistened

with sour beer and rubbed with the burnishing

tool until they have

become

perfectly bright.

Whenever
will

the shape or design of the article

it,

admit of

they should be secured

in

suitable vice or clamp, the jaws or face of

which

^PiF SILVER plater's HAND-BOOK.

75

have been covered with a thick piece of cloth to prevent any injury by scratching or crushing them. The burnisher should be grasped with

one near each end, and drawn backward and forward over the surface of the articles, using only sufficient force to produce the desired result. The interior of hollow articles, such as pitchboth hands,
rather briskly
ers,

drinking cups,
require

etc.,

and

articles of intricate

design,

burnishing

tools

of

different

shapes,

adapted to the general outline of the

surface to be

made

bright.

Electro-deposited

nickel

is

very

difficult

metal to burnish, owing to

It
is

its

extreme hardness.
this metal
it.

much

better

to deposit

in

bright state than to attempt to burnish

Water.
tions,
in

The water used

in

in all plating

opera-

both

mixing the various chemicals, and

solutions,

making the plating

should either
;

be

distilled or well filtered rain

water

spring and

contaming various impurities, very detrimental to the working of the sokitions. It should form no cloud upon the
well water invariably

addition of a few drops of nitrate of silver.

76

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

Nitric Acid.
This acid is sometimes aqua Only the best and strongest acid should
for dissolving

fortis.

be used
of

silver to

form the nitrate

it

silver.

small portion of

largely diluted

with pure

distilled

water should form no cloud

solution
It

upon the addition of a drop of a strong

of nitrate of
silver.

should be kept
in

in

strong

well stoppered

bottles,

a dark,

cool and

dry place.
Care should be taken not to inhale any of the fumes that arise from the acid. Should a drop of this or any other acid fall upon the clothes, apply freely and at once, a quantity of diluted aqua ammonia.

Hydrochloric Acid. This acid is best known as muriatic acid, and when pure should
be almost
less

colorless,

and of a

specific gravity not

is

than

120^

This acid
or

formed by the

chemical union,

and chlorine.
acid,

combination of hydrogen Hence the name hydro chloric

^
acid
is

Aqua Regia.This
nitric

mixture of

and hydro-chloric acids in the proportion of one volume of nitric and from one to three parts of hydro-chloric acids, the strongest and

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

best results

77

being obtained when the propor-

tions are about

chloric acids.

one of
It

nitric

and two of hydroas

it

should not be prepared until

use,

required
rapidly.

for

immediate

deteriorates

Sulphuric
called
**oil

Acid.

This

acid

is

sometimes

of vitriol," and

when pure should be

fitting glass stop-

almost,
in a

or quite colorless, and should be kept

strong bottle with a close

as the
particles

per,

of dust,

wood, cork, or
imparts a dark,

other organic matter quickly

brownish color to
Whefi diluting

it.

this

acid it

is higJily

important
i?ito

that the acid shcrnld be poured very slowly

zvaief,

the

and

never the reverse.

Both the acid and

is

water should also be quite cold, as great heat

evolved upon mixing them.
of hot zvatef be sudderdy

Should a quantity
to

added

an equal amount
is

of

sulpJiuric acid,

a violent explosion

almost

cer-

tain to take place.

tile

Bisulphide of Carbon. This is a very volaand inflammable liquid, and for this reason should be carefully kept away from a lighted
lamp, stove or other source of heat or flame.

78

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

Chloride of Gold.

This

called "muriate of gold,"

in

salt is sometimes and may be purchased

almost any drug store, or m.ay be easily pre-

pared by any chemist.

other cheaper
following
salts.
:

The commercial
It

salt is

often very impure, and largely adulterated with

may

be prepared

in

the

manner

For each ounce of gold

to be dissolved,

pre-

pare four ounces of aqua regia, using only the

The mixture should best and strongest acids. be slightly warm, and the gold added slowly in Should small fragments, until it is all dissolved.
the action

become
it

slow,

it

may be quickened by
to a

heating the mixture, and stirring with moderate

heat
until

has

been evaporated

small

bulk which
yellow
water.
will
salt

will solidify upon cooling, forming a which should be readily dissolved in Should it contain a white powder that in
\vater,
it

not dissolve

is

chloride of

sil

ver,

formed from traces of that metal being

present in the gold.

Fulminate of Gold. This salt is a dark, brown powder, and veiy highly explosive. It is formed by the addition of ammonia, or a solution of any salt of ammonia to a solution of

The silver plater's hand-book.

chloride of gold.
It is

79

ing electro-gilding solutions,

sometimes used in formbut owing to its

dangerous properties, the inexperienced operator should never undertake its manufacture.

Nitrate of Silver.
of small clear crystals,

This

any odor
It is

of nitric acid,

salt is in the form and should be free from and be freely soluble in

pure water.

formed by dissolving pure

silver in

warm

and

slightly diluted nitric acid (about

one part of

pure water to four parts of strong

nitric acid.)

The

silver

should be cut up

in

small pieces and

added slowly. Should the action become too rapid, and the mixture threaten to boil over, add a small quantity of cold water but, if the silver is added very slowly, and the mixture not too warm in the first place, there will be no trouble of this kind. Should the action be too slow, it may be quickened by applying more
;

heat.

When

it

will

dissolve no

more metal, evaporwill crystalize.

ate the solution, with a gentle heat, to a small

bulk, and,

when

cooled,

it

This

salt is

the nitrate of silver, which should

in

be carefully collected and placed

a bottle, and

80
kept
light
in

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

a

dark place,

or the bottle

may be

wrapped

in a

black paper or cloth to prevent the

acting

upon the
is

nitrate of silver, which,

by the way,
phers
in

the salt used by the photograin

coating their plates

order to

make

them

sensitive to the action of the light.

Chloride of Silver.
called muriate of silver,
in

This
and
It
is is

salt

is

somtimes
without

extensively used

forming solutions

for plating articles

the aid of a battery.

generally prepared

by adding

a strong solution of

common

table salt
it

to a solution of nitrate of silver, until

will

no
be

longer form a precipitate.

No harm
ot

will
salt

done

if

an excess of the solution

it

be

added, and
certain that
tated.

is

best to add

enough

to

make

all

of the silver has been precipi-

quantity of dilute muriatic acid

in

may
and

be used,

place of the solution of

salt,

will give the

same

result.

When all the silver has been precipitated, pour off the clear liquid and carefully collect and wash the residue, which is chloride of silver. It should be kept in a well corked bottle and carefully protected from the light until ready for use.

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK'

Mercury.
fectly bright

81
as

This
and

metal

is

better

known

'^quicksilver," and,

when
It

pure, should look per-

clean.

should not be allowed

any metal, except iron or platinum, as with most of the other metals it forms an amalgam. It also volatilizes entirely by being heated.
to accidentally touch

This property of the metal

of in gold and silver mining.

is

taken advantage

The

ore

is first

crushed and powdered into a fine powder, by

powerful machinery, and then mixed with the

mercury,

in

large pans

all

of the gold,

silver,

copper and other metals unite with the mercury

and form an amalgam, and the powdered rock, now robbed of its metal, is washed away to make room for a fresh supply, which is treated in the same way, until tlie mercury becomes so saturated with other metals that it can no longer be used. This is determined by occasionally When it retains an testing it with the fingers. impression or dent it is known to be fully charged with other metals, and is ready to be freed of them. This is accomplished by molding the amalgam in the form of small balls, with the hands, and
placing them in a retort, to the top of which a

82
pipe
is

THE SILVER PLATER'S HAND-BOOK.

connected, leadin^^ to a vessel containing

cold water.
volatilizes

Upon

applying heat, the mercury-

and goes through the pipe, in the form of vapor, but condenses by the time it reaches the water, where it is collected in the form of perfectly pare mercury, and may tlien be used over again.

Sulphate of Copper.
in

This
It

salt is also

known

as "blue vitrol," or "blue stone,"

and should be

the torm of tolerably large crystals of a beau-

tiful

deep blue
which
is

iron,

sometimes contains indicated by crystals having a

color.

greenish hue.

Hydrocyanic

Acid.

This
It

acid
is

is

better

known
and
gas.
is

as "prussic acid."

a clear liquid,

composed
It is

of water charged with cynogen one of the most violent and deadly
in

poisons
It is

known

chemical or medical science.

very dangerous to leave the bottle containit

ing
it is

uncorked, as the vapor or gas arising from

bottle,

extremely poisonous. It should be kept in a dark

light.

and well

protected from the

THE SILVER PLATER

Cyanide
also, is a
fatal

HANDBOOK.

83

of

Pottassium.

This

substance,

deadly poison, and produced almost as results when absorbed by the skin as when
generally procured
in

swallowed.
It
is

small,

irregular

sized lumps, of a white or very light grey color.

It

should be kept
it

in

strong and well stoppered

bottles, as

absorbs moisture rapidly when exof

posed

to the air.

The cyanide
chemists or
in

potasssium
stores,

procured
this reason

from,
in
is

drug

varies greatly
it

strength and purity,

often

and

for

more
is

desirable to manufacture the article

it.

than to purchase
It

most conveniently and nearly always

the following matiner
:

made

in

Take

a quantity

of prussiate of
sium), and grind

potash (ferrocyanide of potas

it

wise reduce

it

to

up well in a mortar or othera fine powder, and dry it, by

c.

a gentle heat, in an iron pan, with

ring.

nstant

stir-

have an iron vessel, large enough to contain double the amount of

the powdered prussiate of potash, heated red
hot.

In the meantime

When
it

the powdered prussiate of potash

the red hot iron vessel, and wait

has become thoroughly dry, put a small quantity of

in

84
until
it,
it

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

has
all

melted

then add a

little

more of

and so on,

until the

whole of

it is

melted, the

vessel being covered as

close-fitting iron lid, as

much

as possible with a

during the whole operais

tion

great deal of

poisonous gas

evolved

from the mixture.

After
in
it

has

all

been melted,
or,

it

should be kept
or,
is

that

condition for about ten,

until a

perhaps,

fifteen

minutes,

sample

procured

by dipping
a

a small iron rod in the mixture, has

It

white color.

should then be allowed to

in

stand quiet for a few minutes,

order to permit

the impurities to settle to the bottom.

This
oi the

may

be aided by gently tapping the sides

clear

vessel.

The

liquid remaining at the top

is

the

pure cyanide of potassium,

carefully

poured

off in

which should be a shallow iron jar, and

it

allowed to cool.
cold
it

Before

has become

quite

should be broken up into small lumps

taking care that none of

with a light hammer,

the fragments get into the eyes or mouth.

The sediment
contain
a large

at the

bottom of the

vessel, will

quantity of cyanide of potas-

sium, which
water,

may be obtained by dissolving it in and straining or filtering the solution

THE SILVER PLATER

HAND BOOK.

80

through a heavy, and closely woven piece of filtering paper it should, however, be scraped out of the vessel
white cotton goods or regular
while
hot, as
;

still

when

cold

it is

quite a difficult

matter to break

it.

EEOOVERING TEAOES OF METAL FEOM WASH WATEES.

In
liquid

making the
first

salts
off,

of gold and silver the

poured

as well as the subsequent

wash waters should be preserved and tested for any traces of metal they may contain. In the preparation of the salts of gold, the wash
waters should be

made

slightly acid

by

the ad-

dition of a small quantity of muriatic acid

and
time.

number
solution,

of clean sheets of zinc immersed in the

and allowed
cause
all

to

remain

for

some

This

will

the gold to be precipitated.

it

When

the solution contains chloride of gold

precipitated

may be

by adding

a solution

of

sulphate of iron ('green vitriol" or "copperas.")

There are a number of ways of recovering

gold from old gilding solutions, but almost
of them are very complex and
require a
difficult
all

opera-

and good knowledge of chemistry. One method is to evaporate the solution to dryness, powder it and mix it with an equal
tions for inexperienced persons to perform,

THE SILVER PLATER's HANDBOOK.

87
it

amount by weight
a small

of litharge, then place

it
;

in a

platinum crucible and melt

the result will be

lump of
in

gold, alloyed witn other metals,

generally with lead.

the

This

is

removed by placing
in a loose

lump

a vessel containing hot nitric acid.

This

will l^ave the

pure gold

spongy

mass, which
in the

may be

melted over again and cast

for recovering the
is

form of a bar.
metallic
as follows

Another method

gold from old solutions,

Add
until

muriatic

acid

to

the plating

solution

it is

strongly acid.
test papers,

This

means of

that

may be tested by may be procured in

addition of the

almost any drug store.

The

muriatic acid causes a disengagement of large

volumes of hydro-cyanic acid gas, which is extremely poisonous, and for this reason the operation should be conducted in the open A air, or where there is good ventilation. precipitate is formed also, which is the cyanide of gold, cyanide of copper, and perhaps^a small
quantity of
cipitate
is

the chloride of
carefully
it,

silver.

This pre-

collected and
it

adding water to
it

stirring

washed by briskly, and after

liquid,
it is

has settled,

pouring off the clear

repeating the operation several times,

then

88
dried

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

and dissolved in cold aqua regia [see page y6], which dissolve'? the gold and copper, and leaves the chloride of silver in the form of
a white or light colored powder.
is

This solution

then evaporated almost to dryness, and the

in water,

resultant salt dissolved

and the gold

precipitated from
metallic

it

in

the form of a brownish

of a solution of

powder by the addition

sulphate of iron.

The

metallic silver

may be

separated from the chloride of silver by mixing

it

with a somewhat larger quantity of the dry

in

carbonate of sodium, and melting the mass

crucible.
result.

small

lump

of pure silver

is

the

EEC0VEEIN6 SILVER FEOM OLD SILVER PLATING SOLUTIONS.

Add
until
it

muriatic
is

acid

to

the

plating solution
will

strongly acid.

This

cause the

liberation of a large quantity of hydrocyanic

acid gas, which,

as

we have
It also

stated before,

is

very poisonous, and should, under no circumstances, be inhaled.

of
silver,

causes a precipitate
chloride

in

the

form of

of

silver,

which should be a very

color,

light

or pure

w^hite

but

is

more

often tinted with red,

owing

to the
tions,
1

copper nearly always present

being precipitated with the
if

in old solusilver.

The
after
it

he copper can be removed,

desired,

the precipitate has been washed

by

treating

with

warm

muriatic acid.

This dissolves the

copper and leaves the chloride of silver unchanged, which may be converted into metallic silver, by the process described on page SS, or,
it

may be

used

in

forming a new plating solu-

tion.

90
In

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

making
off,

nitrate

of
all

silver

the liquid

first

poured

as well as

the wash waters should

be preserved,
solution of

mixed
until

together,

and a strong
produce a
of
silver,

common
them

salt
it

or dilute muriatic acid

added
This

to

ceases to

precipitate.

precipitate

is

the

chloride

which should be well washed, and may then be

converted into metallic
silver, or

placed

in

a well

stoppered bottle, and

as occasion

laid

away
it

for future use,

may

require, but
light,

fully protected
it

from the
of

must be care which decomposes

the stripping

rapidly.

The recovery
liquids,

metal from

may be accomplished by
a very
cooling.

evaporating

them down to crystalize upon

small bulk,

which
is

will

The

residue

then

dissolved in water,

and the metal precipitated

solution of
acid.

by means of strong or by dilute muriatic

common

salt,

The

precipitate thus lormed will likely contain

is

a small amount of copper, which

dissolved

by warm

muriatic acid,

and leaves the pure

chloride of silver.

APPENDIX.

Pyro Plating. During the last few years a new process of causing a deposit of gold, silver, nickel and copper to adhere more firmly to such
metals as iron and steel and other metals that do
not readily receive a coating of mercury in the
*'quicking" solution preparatory to the plating

operation proper.

This method has been termed pyro-plating,

and,
since
its

introduction,

it

has

met with
first

great success.

Articles of iron or steel are

filing

thoroughly cleansed by
scouring them
potash.
in a

and scraping them,

the cathode
in

strong and boiling solution of

They

are

then

made

the

same

solution,

and a very strong current

used, which will cause bubbles of gas to arise and make the surface look bright and silvery.

They

are then placed immediately in the silver

plating solution and plated in the usual way.

When
thickness

the deposit has

acquired the desired

dried

they are taken out and

and

fi^2

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND BOOK.

in a

placed

furnace and heated.

This seems to

cause the deposit to enter the pores of the iron

or steel and form a kind of alloy at the point of

union of the two metals.

require to be tempered they

Should the

articles

may

be cooled sud-

denly

in

water or

oil

and the proper degree of

temper obtained.
Pyro-Gilding
gold
is
is

conducted

in

pretty

much

the same way, the only difference being that the

deposited in successive layers and subdeposited.

surprised,

jected to heat in the furnace after each coating

has been

somewhat

The operator may be when the articles are first

heated, at the almost total disappearance of the

deposit which has been driven into the pores of

the

article.

The second coating holds

and the
third, or fourth

its

own

much

better,

coating,

remains

entire.
this operation

has been conducted with be found to be absolutely perfect, and no amount of picking, or chipping
care, the deposit will

When

at

it,

will

cause

it

to strip or scale

off.

Remedies for Accidents.

of the articles used
in

As the majority
more

electro-plating are

or less poisonous, their different antidotes should

THE SILVER PLATER's HANDBOOK.

93

vention

be well understood, however, an ounce of preis well worth a pound of cure. A careful observance of this old and true maxim by
cautiously handling
all

chemicals and liquids of

a poisonous nature will accomplish more good

than any or

all

of the different antidotes, simply

for their use.

by avoiding any occasion

Cyanide of pottasium is one of the most deadly poisons known, and where a very small quantity of it or any of the cyanide plating solutions have

been swallowed death follows almost instantly, there being usually no time to administer antidotes.

Should the patient exhibit signs of life he made to swallow a dilute solution of the citrate, acetate or tartrate of iron, and cold water applied to the head and spine, and it should be remembered that whatever is done must be done
should be
quickly,
as

death

generally

results

in

a few

seconds of time.

During the manufacture of cyanide of potassium and also during the operation for the recovery of metals from cyanide plating solutions. Large volumes of hydro cyanic acid gas is evolved, which is very poisonous and dangerous

when

inhaled.

This

may

be avoided by con-

94

THE SILVER PLATER's HAND-BOOK.

in the

ducting the operation

open

air,

and where

the wind can blow the p )i.sonous vapors

away

from the operator.

Should the weather or other circumstances arise which would necessitate the operation being conducted in-doors, great care should be taken to secure perfect ventilation.
If either
nitric

muriatic

or

sulphuric
at

acid

have been swallowed,

abundance of warm mustard in it to serve

magnesia and water. soda be swallowed,
dilute vinegar.

once an water with a very little

administer
as an emetic.

The

anti-

dotes are white of eggs,

chalk,

and water or

administer

Should potash or caustic lemonade or

INDEX.
Appendix
Depositing different
slialts of

91

gold

54
21

Electro Nickel Plating

General Information

9 43 47 63
1

Gold Plating without a battery

Gold Plating by battery process

How to make a battery

Introduction

Management
Notes

of Nickel Plating Solutions

23
19
72

Nickel Plating without a battery

Practical operation of gilding solutions

51
13

Preparing articles to be plated

Eecovering traces of metal from wash waters

Eecovering silver from old silver plating solutions
Replating old articles
Silver Plating without a battery Silver Plating

86 89 59

27
31

by the battery process

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