Paladin™ Plating Bath RDX-1200

Immersion Palladium Plating Bath

The Paladin™ Plating Bath (RDX-1200) deposits 2.5+ microinches (0.07 microns) of a dense, low porosity Palladium onto Copper substrates, and other metallic substrates that are electrically connected to Copper exposed to the plating solution. At full strength, the Paladin™ Plating Bath (RDX-1200) will reach maximum deposit thickness in two minutes at 120º F (50º C). It is recommended that the panels remain in the Paladin™ Plating Bath (RDX-1200) at least 3 minutes to minimize porosity. Plating slows dramatically, and plating uniformity suffers if the metal content is not kept up to strength.

The Paladin™ Plating Bath (RDX-1200) is an immersion plating bath, and uses the dissolution of the substrate copper to deposit the Palladium. The bath will build in Copper to around 150 PPM, when it will start precipitating the Copper. It is important that the bath be well agitated, and continuously filtered, to insure that the copper precipitate is removed from the surface of the work, as it is formed.

MAKE-UP:
Use Paladin™ Plating Bath (RDX-1200) as received.

OPERATION:
120º F (50º C), 3 minutes. Use deionized water rinses before plating bath. Do not allow bath to be contaminated with Chloride, as this will poison it. Operators unloading the panels should wear clean gloves, as the panels can be tarnished if touched with hands or gloves that are contaminated with chemicals.

OPERATING PARAMETERS:
Metal content in the Paladin™ bath, as supplied, is nominally 2.66 grams per liter. Do not allow metal content to fall below 2.00 grams per liter. Add Palladium only by addition of Paladin™ Replenisher (RDX-1206). Control pH to 2.0 - 2.2 by adding either pH Up (RDX-1207) or pH Down (RDX-1208). The pH control must be done by laboratory experimentation, as additions cannot be predicted. Addition of any chemicals not approved by RD Chemical Company voids any guarantees or warrantees expressed or implied.

EQUIPMENT:
PVC, Polypropylene, or 300 series Stainless Steel. Continuous filtration through 1 micron filter, with enough pumping power to maintain good agitation in the bath, is important to cosmetic uniformity.

Preparation of old tanks for use as Paladin™ plating tanks: Leach first with 15% Nitric or Methane Sulfonic Acid. Heat to 120+º F, and circulate through filter for at least one hour. Rinse tank, then follow with 12 oz/gallon ChemClean CM (RD-38) at 120º F for one hour minimum, or until all stains are removed. Contact RD Chemical for difficult or unique problems, like Permanganate etch-back solutions.

SAFETY:

Consult Material Safety Data Sheet for further information.

DISPOSAL:
This bath contains precious metals, which should be reclaimed before disposal of the bath. Dispose in accordance with Federal, State and local regulations. Contact your RD Chemical representative for further information.

PACKAGING:

The Paladin™ Plating Bath (RDX-1200) is available in 5 gallon and 55 gallon drums. Paladin™ Replenisher (RDX-1206) is available in 2 liter and 20 liter containers. The pH controlling agents, pH Up (RDX-1207) and pH Down (RDX-1208) are available in 5 gallon and 55 gallon drums.