Développement de Bain de Revêtement Electrolytique à Base D’alliage Co- Ni pour le Remplacement de Chromage (BCR)

Abstract

This project, conducted in collaboration with SANIK (BCR), aims to develop two nickel plating baths for the faucet industry: a conventional nickel plating bath replacing chromium with cobalt and a new black nickel plating bath, both applied to brass substrates. The goal is to provide an economical, environmentally friendly, and quality-equivalent alternative to traditional formulations. Following an in-depth analysis of faucet manufacturing processes and existing surface treatments, a copper plating bath was formulated using simple and accessible components. The deposits, characterized by profilometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM), are homogeneous and adherent, enhancing the quality of subsequent coatings (nickel and chromium). Industrial implementation has confirmed the technical and economic feasibility of this solution