Protection upgraded
SurTec® 867
Bright Acid Copper Process
Properties
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for extremely bright copper deposits with excellent levelling,
especially at lower current densities
produces ductile and low-stressed copper layers
well suited for parts with deep recesses or complicate shapes
fast economical process: very efficient additive system with low maintenance cost
stable brightener system with much reduced formation of decomposition products
additives have different colours, to avoid possible confusion during the addition
suitable for steel, zinc die cast and plating on plastic
IMDS-number: 736943
Application
The process SurTec 867 includes the following products:
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SurTec 867 M Make-up Solution contains the carrier and produces
basic brightness, especially in the low current density
SurTec 867 I Leveller is together with the Make-up Solution responsible
for the good brightness and the uniform levelling of the layer
SurTec 867 I HL High Leveller can be used instead of SurTec 867 I
to achieve a stronger levelling of the layer
SurTec 867 II Brightener boosts the levelling and maintains the performance
of the bright layer formation in the low current density
SurTec 860 W Wetting Agent improves the wettability of the surface
make-up values:
copper sulfate · 5 H2O
sulfuric acid (96 %)
chloride, pure
SurTec 867 M Make-up Solution
SurTec 867 I Leveller
(or SurTec 867 I HL)
SurTec 867 II Brightener
SurTec 860 W Wetting Agent
analytical values:
copper
sulfuric acid (96 %)
chloride
188
72
120
10
0.6
g/l
g/l
mg/l
ml/l
ml/l
(185-205 g/l)
(67-73 g/l)
(90-130 mg/l)
(8-12 ml/l)
(0.4-0.8 ml/l)
2 ml/l
0.5-1.5 ml/l
(1.5-2.5 ml/l)
48 g/l
72 g/l
120 mg/l
(47-52 g/l)
(67-73 g/l)
(90-130 mg/l)
page 1
make-up:
Steps for make-up:
1. Leach the tank for 24 h with 3 % sulfuric acid; then rinse the
tank thoroughly with clean water.
2. Fill 50 % of the final volume of water into the tank.
3. Slowly add the calculated amount of sulfuric acid under constant
stirring. Caution: Solution becomes very hot!
4. Add the required amount of copper sulfate and stir well until
complete dissolution.
5. Fill up to approx. 80 % of the final volume with water and filter
the solution through an activated carbon cartridge.
6. Install the bagged anodes. (Before use, the anode bags should be
leached thoroughly, best in 5-10 % sulfuric acid overnight.)
7. Analyse and adjust the chloride content.
8. Add the required amounts of SurTec 867 M Make-up Solution,
SurTec 867 I Leveller (or SurTec 867 I HL), SurTec 867 II Brightener
and SurTec 860 W Wetting Agent.
9. Fill up to the final volume.
10. Warm up to working temperature.
11. Dummy plate the electrolyte for 1-2 hours.
temperature:
20-35°C
pH-value:
<1
deposition rate:
0,6 µm/min at 3 A/dm²
cathodic
current density:
1.5-6 A/dm2
bath voltage:
1.0-3.5 V
anodes:
phosphorized copper anodes (99.9 %),
with anode bags out of acid-resistant material (PP)
(monitoring is not necessary)
(larger tanks may need up to 6 V)
Leach the anode bags thoroughly before use, best in 5-10 % sulfuric acid
overnight.
If the chloride concentration is within the specified range, the anodes will
get a dark black appearance.
agitation:
recommended: vigorous air agitation
(possible: cathode rod movement with 6-7 m/min)
tank material:
steel with internal acid-resistant plastic or rubber coating, or PP tanks
filtration:
continuously with PP cartridges, 1-2 times the total bath volume per hour;
pore size: 10 µm
heating:
if necessary (temperature must not fall below 15°C):
coated with silica, Teflon or PTFE
cooling:
if necessary: titanium coils with chilled water
(do not connect directly to the main water supply!)
exhaust:
required for worker’s protection
page 2
hints:
Carbon steel and zinc metals need to be coated with a suitable
preliminary deposition. On steel, a copper cyanide or nickel strike layer
is recommended. Zinc requires a copper strike layer. Plastic components
must be coated with a continuous metallic film of electroless copper or
nickel. These metal layers must be thick enough to be relatively pore-free.
Before application of the bright acid copper deposit, the parts have to
be rinsed thoroughly and activated by immersion in 2-5 % sulfuric acid.
storage:
Store all additives in a cool and sun-protected place.
Maintenance
Replenish evaporation losses with deionised water.
Analyse and adjust the concentration of copper, sulfuric acid and chloride regularly.
Corresponding analysing methods are separately available on request.
If the chloride level falls below 90 mg/l, a loss of brightness and levelling may be experienced.
At chloride levels above 130 mg/l, anode polarisation may occur.
Replenish the additives only after confirmation tests in the Hull cell.
A trouble shooting list is separately available on request.
Hull Cell Test
material:
procedure:
rectifier with 10-30 V and 2 A, cables
air-agitated 250 ml Hull cell
phosphorized copper bar anode
brass polished Hull cell panels (in the middle semi-abraded with emery
paper, 400-600 grit abrasions)
1. Put the clean anode (activated in HCl and rinsed well) into the Hull
cell and connect it with the cable to the (+) pole of the rectifier;
fill up the cell with the original copper bath to the Hull cell mark.
2. Remove the plastic film of the brass panel mechanically and scratch
it in the middle with the emery paper.
3. Electro-clean the so-prepared panel, immerse it into an acid dip,
rinse well and put it into the Hull cell. Move it slightly to and fro in
order to wet the panel properly. Then connect it with the cable to
the (-) pole of the rectifier.
4. Use an aquarium pump for air agitation and plate the panel at 2 A
for 10 minutes (full voltage, current adjusted to the desired value).
5. Take out the panel, rinse it well and dry it with hot or compressed
air.
If the analysis of the bath values indicated that the inorganic ingredients
should be adjusted, plate a second panel with these corrections.
evaluation:
A correctly adjusted SurTec 867 bath produces completely bright and
uniformly levelled panels.
Correct the parameters by help of the trouble shooting list.
page 3
Technical Specification
(at 20°C)
SurTec
SurTec
SurTec
SurTec
SurTec
867
867
867
867
860
M
I
I HL
II
W
Appearance
Density (g/ml)
liquid,
liquid,
liquid,
liquid,
liquid,
1.024
1.069
1.026
1.029
1.010
green, clear
violet, clear
violet, clear
light blue, clear
colourless, clear
(1.00-1.12)
(1.00-1.17)
(1.00-1.05)
(1.00-1.13)
(1.00-1.04)
pH-value (conc.)
<1
1.0 (0.5-2.0)
1.2 (0.5-2.0)
<1
ca. 1
Consumption and Stock Keeping
The additives are consumed by drag-out as well as electrochemically, anodic oxidation and
cathodic build-in. To determine the exact amounts of drag-out, see SurTec Technical Letter 11.
The following values per 10,000 Ah can be taken as estimated average consumption:
SurTec 867 M
Make-up Solution
SurTec 867 I
Leveller
(or SurTec 867 I HL High Leveller
SurTec 867 II
Brightener
SurTec 860 W
Wetting Agent
0.8
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.5
l
l
l
l
l
(0.3-0.9
(1.0-1.8
(1.0-1.8
(0.8-1.2
(0.5-1.0
l)
l)
l))
l)
l)
Product Safety and Ecology
Classification and designation are noted in the Material Safety Data Sheets (according to the
European legislation). The safety instructions and the instructions for environmental protection
have to be followed in order to avoid hazards for people and environment. Please pay attention
to the explicit details in our Material Safety Data Sheets.
Warranty
We are responsible for our products in the context of the valid legal regulations. The warranty
exclusively accesses for the delivered state of a product. Warranties and claims for damages
after the subsequent treatment of our products do not exist. For details please consider our
general terms and conditions.
Further Information and Contact
If you have any questions concerning the process, please contact your local technical
department.
For further information and contact details please visit our homepage:
http://www.SurTec.com
18 May 2017/DK, MT
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