GB464108A - Plating and cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning and plating composition comprises a metallic salt, a finely divided inert light-absorbing material such as colloidal carbon, and if desired a mild abrasive. Dyestuffs may be added to assist the carbon in protecting the metallic salt from the action of light, and dyestuffs and/or sugars may be added as binders. The composition is coated on or absorbed in a fibrous carrier such as paper or cloth. Examples of cleaning and plating compositions are: (1) silver chloride, sodium or potassium cyanide, whiting or precipitated chalk, carbon disulphide (which is added to control the crystal size of the deposited silver), and colloidal carbon, with or without small quantities of dyestuffs and/or sugars; (2) silver chloride, whiting, sodium chloride, colloidal carbon, and potassium carbonate or bitartrate; (3) stannous chloride, cream of tartar, and finely divided carbon, with or without zinc filings or dust; (4) copper sulphate, sulphuric acid, and carbon; (5) gold chloride, potassium cyanide, calcium carbonate, cream of tartar, and carbon. An alternative composition for coating with copper is formed by mixing cream of tartar, copper carbonate, whiting, and water to form copper tartrate which is then dissolved in a solution of caustic soda and potassium cyanide and mixed with carbon.ALSO:A high degree of polish is maintained on metal surfaces such as lighthouse reflectors, automobile headlamps, jewellery and cutlery, by rubbing them with a cleaning and plating device comprising a carrier of fibrous material such as paper or cloth coated or impregnated with a mixture of a metallic salt, a finely divided inert light-absorbing material such as colloidal carbon, and if desired a mild abrasive. The light-absorbing material prevents decomposition by light-action of the metallic salt, and its action may be assisted by the addition of dyestuffs which also act as binders. Sugar may also be added as a binder. The fibrous material, e.g. cotton linters, cellulose sponge, cotton rag stock, cellulose fibre mixed with wool, filter paper, or filter mass, may be coated with the mixture, for example by means of a roller, or may be impregnated by dipping or soaking. Alternatively the mixture may be added to the paper &c. pulp. The coated or impregnated fibrous material may be corrugated, or transversely cut or perforated to facilitate the removal of sheets from a roll. When required for use the sheets are moistened, e.g. with water or a cyanide solution. Examples of coating mixtures are: (1) silver chloride, sodium or potassium cyanide, whiting or precipitated chalk, carbon disulphide (which is used to the crystal size of the deposited silver), and colloidal carbon, with or without small quantities of dyestuffs and/or sugars; (2) silver chloride, whiting, sodium chloride, potassium carbonate or bitartrate, and colloidal carbon; (3) stannous chloride, cream of tartar, and finely divided carbon with or without zinc filings or dust; (4) copper sulphate, sulphuric acid, and carbon; (5) gold chloride, potassium cyanide, calcium carbonate, cream of tartar, and carbon. An alternative method of coating with copper comprises mixing cream of tartar copper carbonate, whiting and water to form copper tartrate which is then dissolved in a solution of caustic soda and potassium cyanide, and mixed with carbon. Metals to be gilded are first coated with copper and then treated with the mixture (5) above.