Diseño y Construcción de una Planta Piloto para Recubrimientos Metálicos

Abstract

The objective of this research is to design and build a pilot plant for metallic coatings (copper plating, nickel plating and zinc plating) for the Corrosion Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, of the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo, which will have didactic purposes, since it will allow students to perform laboratory tests in the area of corrosion. Experimental tests were carried out identifying the process variables: concentration, voltage, temperature and time. Systematic sampling was used, obtaining several coated pieces from which those with the best sensory and durability characteristics were chosen. After making the engineering calculations, the Pilot Plant was built, consisting of: a current rectifier, a tank table, a gas extraction chamber with a built-in centrifugal fan, plastic tanks, submersible heaters, anodes and baths for each process. The results obtained allowed us to determine the optimum conditions for copper plating, nickel plating and zinc plating. In the case of copper plating, the best conditions are: room temperature and 4 volts for 9 minutes. For nickel plating the bath is heated up to 50 °C and 6 volts are used for about 5 minutes. For zinc plating, the best results were obtained when subjected to 5 volts, room temperature and 8 minutes. In this way, the directly proportional trend between voltage, temperature, time, concentration and coating thickness has been verified. It is recommended to use the Pilot Plant with the due precautions described in the operation manual.