TECHNlqLLY
speaorg
BY JOE FOX, FINISHING TEST SUPPLY,INC., PAINESVILLE, OHIO
Examining the Hull Cell
Part I: Covering the basics.
T he hull cell was first outlined by
R.O. Hull in a 1939 paper titled
"Current density characteristics,
their determination, and applica-
tion" (Proceedings of the American
Electroplaters' Society). The biggest
advantage of the hull cell is its ability
to allow a skilled operator to check
the deposit properties at varying cur-
rent densities, and all on one test
panel.
The hull cell can examine the
effects of the following:
• Operational variables, such as pH
current density, temperature, and
agitation
• Organics and metallic
contamination
• Base salt constituents and
addition agents
• Brightness range of plating deposit
• Covering power
Unlike quantitative analysis, the
hull cell test gives the analyst a snap-
shot or picture of the solution. In
order to interpret the snapshot, other
pictures are required for comparison.
The aim of this article is to provide
standards and training to educate
the analyst. More complete informa-
tion will be available in Part III of
this series, slated for the May issue of
MetalFinishing. (Part II will appear in
the April issue.)
DESIGN
The hull cell is a miniature plating
tank that is trapezoidal in its configu-
ration. The unique shape and dimen-
sions of the hull cell are depicted in
Figure 1 for various sizes. Different
sizes exist mainly for the sake of con-
venience. Original cells were based on
www.metalfinishing.com
1,000 ml, but smaller cells were later
developed. The 267-ml size was cho-
sen because a 2-g addition to the hull
cell equals 1 oz/gal addition to the
plating bath.
The small cells are often criticized
for being too small because rapid
changes in composition and solution
temperature can occur. For example,
the 267-ml hull cell can have a 10%
change in addition agent concentra-
tion in just one 5-minute panel. This
is dependent on the initial concen-
tration and the consumption rate of
the addition agent system.
The angle of inclination of the
Figure 1: Hull celland temperature controller.
cathode, shape, and spacing are criti-
cal to provide the current distribu-
tion that previous research has deter-
mined to be advantageous. The depth
of the solution can be altered, but the
current must also be changed to
allow for area and subsequent current
changes. Figure 1 shows a typical hull
cell and temperature controller.
HULL CELL COMPOSITION
The hull cell should be constructed
from a non-conductive material that
is chemically inert from the solution
being tested. Acrylic and polypropy-
lene are commonly used.
ANODE
The anodes are typically 2.25 x 2.25
inches and are fitted close to the cell
wall. In addition, the anodes are nor-
mally flat. Ifthe solution is subject to
high anode polarization, then the
anode should be corrugated, ridged,
or made from gauze to increase the
effective anode area.
The anode material should be
carefully chosen. Impurities in the
anode composition can affect the
outcome of the tests. Therefore, the
same anode material should always
be used for a series of tests. It is
common practice to use filter paper
or a small anode bag to trap any
anode fines or sludge that may
interfere with the test. However, it
is not sound practice to use filter
paper because it could impede
proper solution replenishment in
the anode film. If quantitative eval-
uation of the solution conditions
and the anode is required, then the
anode area will usually need to be
increased to provide the proper
anode-to-cathode ratio.
CATHODE
The cathode is used to judge the con-
dition of the plating solution. The
ideal condition would entail having
the test panel made from the same
composition as the work being plat-
ed, however, this is easier said than
done. Generally, polished brass pan-
els and zinc-coated steel panels are
used. The condition and composition
of the cathode surface have a great
effect on the outcome of the test.
Therefore, the cathode material and
preparation must be standardized.
Steel panels are zinc coated to pre-
vent rusting during storage; usually
the zinc is stripped in a 50%/volume
solution of hydrochloric acid,
rinsed, scratched with 400-grit
wet/dry sandpaper, wiped with a
clean paper towel to remove the
smut, then rinsed and placed in the
electrolyte for the plating test.
Operators must be careful not to
touch or fingerprint the area that
will undergo testing. Scratching the
bottom of the test panel provides
the operator with an idea of the lev-
eling ability of the plating solution.
March 2009 I metalfinlshlng I 31
TECHNlqLLY
speaong
Brass panels are generally coated
with a peelable plastic. It is common
practice to remove the coating;
scratch the bottom edge with 400-
grit sandpaper; soak or direct-cur-
rent clean the panel in a suitable
brass cleaner; rinse; place in 5% by
volume sulfuric acid; rinse; and then
place in the electrolyte for testing.
For the 1,OOO-ml cell:
Current density at any point =
1(18.8 - 28.3 log L)
For the 267-ml cell:
Current density at any point =
1(27.7- 48.7 log L)
This applies to the limits of L =
0.25 and L = 3.25 inches, where the
current density is in amps/fr', I is in
amperes, and L is in inches.
Deviations from these are to be
expected, particularly from cyanide
electrolytes, as these solutions may
have fluctuations in current due to
cathode polarization.
BIO
Joe Fox is thesales and technical specialist
for Finishing Test Supply, Inc., located in
Painesville, Ohio. He can be reached at
info@finishingtestsupply.com.

CURRENT SUPPLY
Direct current must be used for hull
cell tests. The current supply should
be capable of supplying a maximum
chromitnt,' yep
Trivalent Chrome Passivation for Aluminium
of 12 V. Twelve volts is normally not Based on NA VAIR Patented Tep Technology

Sur-Tee 650 chromitAL ® provides excellent bare corrosion resistance on

unpainted surfaces and enhances adhesion of organic coatings
and low temperature sealing of anodized aluminum

Figure 2: Brass- and zinc-coated steel panels.

required, but it is beneficial to have

the capability. Amperage is normally
5 amps or less, but 10 amps is again
beneficial to have if needed. Ripple
should be less than 5%.The ammeter
should read in 0.2-amp increments
or less to allow for proper control.

CURRENT DISTRIBUTION
For the tests to be effective, the cur-
rent density should have a wider
range than is encountered in prac-
tice. The equation below shows a log-
arithmic curve as follows:

Current density = I(C, - C2 log L)

where L indicates the distance along

the cathode, I indicates total cell
current, and CJ and C2 are constants
based on the nature of the elec-
trolyte.
Hull determined these constants
from a number of electrolytes and
found that they did not differ from
one another. As a result, the values
were averaged, and a general-purpose
formula was derived: Circle 035 on reader information card or go to www.metalfinishing.com/advertisers

www.metalfini5hing.com March 2009 I metalfinishing I33