Electroplating technique at home. Electroplating at home is its most important component

I want to refresh the idea already published earlier (Galvanics). This technology is called electroforming in Russia, and electroforming in the West. Its essence, in brief, is the coating of non-metallic objects with metal using galvanization. The coverage methods are all about the same and their descriptions are on many Runet sites. It is possible to master this technology in a very short time, without any special technical talents.

Now the very essence of how to make money on it. In any market or toy store, you can purchase bags of rubber or plastic animals with a set of animals. As a rule, these are made in China, and they cost literally a penny. The cheapest type of coating is copper. You can indiscriminately cover all representatives of the animal world, but most hot commodity are the animals symbolizing the signs of the zodiac. After coating and appropriate processing (blackening, polishing), they should be glued to some kind of support. I recommend ordinary crushed stone for the manufacture of concrete. Pebbles are pre-selected in size, preferably with a flat base. They are washed and dried. Everything, the product is ready! I do not know of a case where it could not be sold for 20-30 rubles, at a cost of 5-7. All that is needed for this is the initial capital ... well, a maximum of a hundred bucks and one and a half square meters in the bathroom or on the balcony (in summer).

My son and daughter-in-law have been doing this business for several years. He is the technical side, she is the sales and delivery of materials. She, of course, has a little more physical activity. Net profit per week (minimum) - 450-500 US dollars. Now they have switched to making more fundamental products, something like park sculpture, so I can easily reveal the secrets of this business.

Electroplating technology

Electrolyte - 150-180 gr blue vitriol and 40-50 milliliters of sulfuric acid per 1 liter of water.
Source direct current- Ideal for car battery charger.
A conductive layer for painting figures - add a few drops of colorless nitro-varnish to the bronze powder (it is possible for hair) and dilute it with acetone to the state of liquid paint.
Rheostat - nichrome wire we wind in one row on any ceramic plate (a spiral from a heater is very suitable).
Ammeter - preferably from zero to 3-5 amps (usually on chargers ammeter already present).
Bath - any plastic bath from 3 to 50 liters (it all depends on your appetites).
Anode - any copper plate (any copper waste), the area of which is approximately equal to the area of all coated products.

Manufacturing technology

From pieces 15-20 cm long of a telephone or other multi-core cable, we take out individual wires. We clean the insulation from both ends, bend one tip at an angle of 90 degrees and glue it to the plastic figure with a five-second glue (somewhere below, in a less noticeable place). BF glue is not good, bronze paint will dissolve it.

After drying, several future products (the amount depends on the volume of the bath) are degreased in washing powder followed by washing or in acetone.

The figurines on the wires hold quite tightly, they can be dipped one at a time in the prepared bronze paint or painted with a brush. All places must be filled in, without gaps. It is advisable to use insulated wires from telephone cables, otherwise, copper will settle on the “bare” wires - this extra expense material is the anode.

After drying (about an hour), the stripped ends of the wires are twisted together, the figures should not touch each other. This whole “bouquet” is suspended from the positive contact and lowered into the bath. After a few seconds, the process will begin and the figures will begin to be covered with copper. This will be immediately noticeable.

The thickness of the coating depends on several factors, usually for small items - 0.05 mm. They hang in the bath for 12-15 hours. The current is adjustable (by moving the contact along the nichrome rheostat) within 0.8 - 1.0 Amperes. As soon as the figures are completely covered with copper, we increase the current to 2.0 amperes.

After finishing the coating, rinse in running water, dry, bite off the wires. We clean the wires and prepare them for the next batch.

Everything, our figurines are completely metallized. The pharmacy sells sulfuric ointment. We coat the figure with ointment and literally hold it over the fire ( gas stove). Copper turns black.

After that, the polishing process. Ideal - any engine, but with a metal brush-circle. It's called kratsovka. This process requires some skill, because. gives our product the look of blackened copper-bronze with shiny (in the right places) details. Don't be afraid to mess up, again sulfuric ointment, fire and polishing.

Now we paste it on some kind of stand (you can use pebbles, granite pebbles, which are for concrete) and a very beautiful thing turns out.

Another recommendation for those who doubt and are far from this process. Make a test in a small half-liter jar, prepare an electrolyte, lower a piece of copper, paint one figure with bronze paint from a spray can (paint 2-3 times) and connect to a battery without any rheostats. You can use an adapter for the player.

Copper plating is the process of applying a copper layer to the surface by electroplating.

The copper layer gives the product visual appeal, which allows the use of copper plating in design projects. It also gives the metal a high electrical conductivity, which allows the product to be subjected to further surface treatment.

Copper plating can be used as the main process for creating a surface layer, as well as an intermediate operation for further deposition of another metal layer. This method can include, for example, the process of silvering, or nickel plating.

Copper plating can be done at home. This makes it possible to solve many domestic problems.

To perform the coating with a copper layer on your own, you need to purchase the equipment and materials necessary for the process.

First of all, you need to prepare a source of electric current. Various home masters advise using current strength, the spread of which is in a wide range. Work must be carried out on direct current.

As a current source, you can take a KBS-L battery with a voltage of 4.5 volts or a new Krona brand battery with an operating voltage of 9 volts. You can also use a rectifier instead. low power, giving a voltage of not more than 12 volts, or a car battery.

It is mandatory to use a rheostat to adjust the voltage and smoothly exit the process.

For the electrolyte solution, a neutral container must be prepared, for example, made of glass, as well as a wide plastic dish that is large enough to accommodate the part in it. The containers must withstand temperatures of at least 80°C.

You will also need anodes to cover the entire surface of the part. They are designed to supply current to the electrolyte solution and distribute it over the entire area of the part.

For electroplating at home, you will also need chemicals to prepare the solution:

blue vitriol,
hydrochloric or other acid,
distilled water.

Having prepared everything you need, you can get to work.

Copper plating of steel products

Copper plating of steel with blue vitriol is one of the main processes in the field of electroplating because it is used for pre-plating with copper. It has a high adhesion to the steel surface, unlike other metals that do not have good adhesion to steel. The copper layer, subject to the technology, adheres perfectly to steel products.

There are two coating technologies: with the immersion of the product in an electrolyte solution and the method of non-contact coating of the surface with copper without being placed in a liquid electrolyte solution.

Copper plating by immersion in solution

The process is carried out in compliance with the following steps:

The oxide film is removed from the surface of the steel part using sandpaper and brushes, and then the part is washed and degreased with soda with a final rinse with water.
Two copper plates are placed in a glass jar, connected to copper conductors, which serve as an anode. To do this, they are connected together and brought to the positive terminal of the device used as a current source.
The workpiece is freely suspended between the plates. The negative pole of the terminal is connected to it.
A tester with a rheostat is built into the circuit to regulate the current strength.
An electrolyte solution is being prepared, which usually includes copper sulfate - 20 grams, acid (hydrochloric or sulfuric) - from 2 to 3 ml, dissolved in 100 ml (preferably distilled) water.
The finished solution is poured into a prepared glass jar. It should cover the electrodes placed in the jar completely.
The electrodes are connected to a current source. Using a rheostat, the current is set (10-15 mA should fall on 1 cm2 of the area of \u200b\u200bthe part).
After 20-30 minutes, the current is turned off, and the copper-plated part is taken out of the tank.

Copper plating without being placed in an electrolyte solution

This method is used not only for steel products, but also for aluminum and zinc products. The process goes like this:

A stranded copper wire is taken, from one end of which the insulating coating is removed, and the copper wires are given the appearance of a kind of brush. For convenient use, the "brush" is fixed on a handle - holder (you can take a wooden stick).
The other end of the wire without a brush is connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source used.
An electrolyte solution is prepared based on concentrated copper sulphate with the addition of a small amount of acid. It is poured into a wide container, necessary for convenient dipping of the brush.
The prepared metal part, cleaned of the oxide film and degreased, is placed in an empty bath and connected to the negative terminal.
The brush is wetted with the prepared solution and is driven along the surface of the plate without touching it.
After reaching the required copper layer, the process ends, and the part is washed and dried.

There should always be a layer of electrolyte solution between the surface of the part and the improvised copper brush, so the brush must be constantly dipped in electrolyte.

Copper plating of aluminum with copper sulphate

Application to the surface of copper - great way renovation of aluminum cutlery and other aluminum products used in the home.

Copper plating of aluminum with copper sulphate can be done independently. A simplified version to demonstrate the process is the copper coating of a simple shaped aluminum plate.

This example can be practiced. The process goes like this:

1. The surface of the plate must first be cleaned and then degreased.

2. Then you need to apply a little concentrated solution of copper sulfate (copper sulfate) on it.

3. The next step is to connect a wire connected to the negative pole to the aluminum plate. You can connect the wire to the plate using a conventional clamp.

4. A positive charge is applied to a device consisting of a bare copper wire with a diameter of 1 to 1.5 mm, the end of which is distributed between the bristles of the toothbrush.

During operation, this end of the wire must not touch the surface of the aluminum plate.

5. Having dipped the bristles in a solution of copper sulfate, they begin to drive with a brush in a place prepared for copper coating. In this case, it is not necessary to allow the circuit to be closed by touching the surface of the aluminum plate with the end of the copper wire.

6. Copper plating of the surface immediately becomes visually noticeable. In order for the layer to be of high quality, there is no need to hurry with the end of the process.

7. After completion of work, the copper layer must be leveled with additional cleaning, removing the remnants of copper sulfate and wiping the surface with alcohol.

Galvanoplasty at home

Galvanoplasty is the process of electrochemical action on the product in order to give it the required shape by the metal deposited on the surface.

Typically, this technology is used for metal coating of non-metallic products. It is widely used in the jewelry field and the design of household items.

Probably doesn't exist home master who would never need to cover his own hand-made objects with a layer of zinc, chromium, copper or nickel. These coatings allow not only to give metal objects a beautiful appearance, but also makes it possible to protect them from the influence environment, as well as endow the product with properties that were not previously inherent in it.

The activity that allows you to apply a thin layer of metal on the surface of the product, which allows you to protect the latter from corrosion and give it decorative properties, is called galvanization, and in simple speech, electroplating. Electroplating at home is a fairly common phenomenon in our country, because having electroplating equipment at home or in a garage, everyone can personally carry out chrome plating, zinc plating, copper plating, nickel plating of any metal products.

Of course, home electroplating requires the presence of certain equipment, as well as knowledge in the electrochemical field - you cannot do without this in the case of coating using electrolysis.

One of the main components that every electroplating at home should have is Below, one of the methods for its manufacture will be considered. Anyone who decides that he needs electroplating at home has to face the problem of how to make a galvanic bath or adapt any container for it.

So, there is one inexpensive solution to this issue. Many companies selling chemicals use special polyethylene containers. Each such container is lathed and strengthened on pallets. It is this capacity to be obtained for use as the basis of a galvanic bath.

After the container is delivered and installed, it is necessary to carefully cut it off upper part. The cut part is still useful - a bath cover will be made from it. Three holes are made from the ends of the bath, into which the anode rods will be installed. Of course, the holes must be at the same level.

The cover of the galvanic bath must be mandatory. Later, it is screwed to the bath, using a loop, for example, a piano. For the seal that needs to be provided between the lid and the bathtub, rubber car door seals are perfect - these are available at any auto shop and should be fitted around the entire perimeter of the tub rim. After installing the cover, it should fit snugly against the sides of the bath.

Thus, a bathtub with an opening lid is obtained, which in turn has a filling hole, which is recommended to be used to connect the ventilation sleeve.

Copper rods are inserted into the holes made earlier in the sides. As their quality, you can use copper tubes of a suitable diameter - 20mm. In the event that the tube does not have sufficient rigidity, a steel bar is inserted inside. The ends of the tubes must be flattened, and then holes drilled in them in order to subsequently connect a rectifier to them.

In conclusion, let us give as an example the stages of one of the processes that can be carried out in the above-described galvanizing bath. These stages are:

Degreasing the product in an organic solvent;

Chemical degreasing in alkali solution;

Electrochemical degreasing in alkaline solution;

Washing in hot water;

Washing in cold water;

Activation or etching;

Directly galvanized;

Clarification with a weak solution (optional);

Passivation;

Washing in cold water;

Washing in warm water, temperature of about 40 ° C, but not more;

Drying of the finished product.

We hope that your electroplating at home will open up new opportunities for you!

Galvanics is also a branch of applied science "Electrochemistry", which studies the processes occurring during the deposition of metal cations on a cathode placed in an electrolytic solution, and the technological process. Electroplating at home or in production allows you to apply a thin layer of metal to the surface of the workpiece, which can act as a protective or decorative coating.

Methods for implementing such technological process, which is quite complex, has already been well developed, so today it is actively used not only by manufacturing enterprises, but also by many home craftsmen.

Process features

A coating formed on a workpiece by electroplating can be applied for technological purposes or perform decorative, protective, or both functions. AT decorative purposes they create a thin layer of gold or silver, and in order to ensure reliable protection of the surface of the workpiece from corrosion, galvanizing or electroplating copper plating is performed.

It is not difficult to make electroplating even at home. Perform this procedure as follows.

Two anodes are lowered into the dielectric container with electrolyte, connected to the positive contact of the electric current source. The material for the manufacture of such anodes must be metal, the layer from which must be formed.
The workpiece itself, connected to the negative contact of the electric current source and thus acting as a cathode, is placed in the electrolyte between the anodes.
Galvanization, that is, the process of transferring metal molecules from the electrolyte to the cathode product, begins to occur at the moment when the resulting electrical network closes.

As a result, a thin and uniform layer of metal is formed on the treated surface, which was originally contained in the chemical composition of the electrolyte.

Necessary equipment

Do-it-yourself electroplating can be done with high quality using even the simplest equipment that many craftsmen have in their arsenal. First of all, you should choose a DC source, which must be equipped with an output voltage regulator. The presence of such a regulator is necessary in order to be able to smoothly and widely change the power of your homemade device for electroplating.

As a power source at home, it is very convenient to use an electric current rectifier, which you can assemble yourself (or purchase a serial model). Many craftsmen who perform electroplating at home use commercial welding machines as a power source.

A do-it-yourself galvanic bath can also be made without any problems. As such a bath, you can use any container made of glass or plastic, while it must be taken into account that both the workpiece and the required amount of electrolyte must be placed in such a container for electroplating. It is also very important that the bath is strong enough to withstand high temperatures, which can reach up to 80 °.

The anodes used for electroplating at home perform several important functions at once:

put into the electrolyte electricity and provide a uniform distribution of the latter over the treated surface;
compensate for the loss of the metal applied to the product, consumed from the chemical composition of the electrolyte;
contribute to the occurrence of some oxidative processes.

When choosing anodes for your galvanizing apparatus, one thing should be observed important rule: their area must be greater than the area of the treated surface.

Electroplating at home cannot be carried out without the use of a heating device, with which the electrolyte is brought to the required operating temperature. It is very convenient when the intensity of heating provided by such a device can be adjusted. If we focus on the experience of home craftsmen who already have experience in electroplating at home, we can recommend using a small electric stove or a regular iron with adjustable soleplate heating as a heating device.

What is needed to prepare the electrolyte

To store safely at home chemical reagents, from which the electrolyte for electroplating will be prepared, as well as the finished solution itself, you will need glassware with sealed lids. The amount of chemical reagents from which the electrolytic solution is prepared must be measured with an accuracy of one gram. To solve this problem at home, even inexpensive electronic scales, which can be purchased at any hardware store, are suitable.

If you decide to go into electroplating various products at home, you will surely encounter the problem of acquiring chemical reagents from which an electrolytic solution is prepared. The fact is that organizations that produce and sell such chemical substances, can sell them only to those who have the appropriate permits. It is problematic to purchase such chemical reagents for an individual or even an organization that does not have such documents.

How to properly prepare the product for the procedure

After you have made your electroplating apparatus, found all the necessary equipment and chemical components, you can proceed to such an important process as preparing a product that will be electroplated. The importance of such a process is very difficult to overestimate, since it is the quality of its implementation that largely determines what characteristics the finished coating will have.

In most cases, the preparation of a product for electroplating is not limited to cleaning its surface from dirt and degreasing it. Subsequent grinding is also performed using sandpaper and special pastes.

Electroplating highlights all surface imperfections, so the workpiece must be perfectly prepared, that is, all chips, scratches and shells have been eliminated.

In order to degrease the surface to be treated before electroplating, organic solvents can be used in pure or prepare a special solution for this purpose. In particular, for effective degreasing of steel or cast iron at home, solutions are prepared, which include sodium hydroxide, liquid glass, sodium carbonate and sodium phosphate. Degreasing of products made of such metals is carried out in a solution heated to 90 °. Non-ferrous metals can be effectively degreased with solutions containing laundry soap and sodium phosphate.

To get quality electroplating both at home and in production conditions, it is also necessary to remove the oxide film from the treated surface, for which special decapitating solutions with sulfuric or hydrochloric acid are used.

Safety Requirements

Any electroplating operation (zinc plating, chromium plating, nickel plating, copper plating, etc.) is a dangerous technological process, therefore, when it is performed at home, it is necessary to strictly follow the safety requirements. What makes electroplating dangerous is both toxic chemicals and the high heating temperature of the electrolyte, as well as the risks associated with any electrochemical processes.

For electroplating at home, it is better to allocate non-residential premises, which can be a garage or workshop. It must be organized high-quality ventilation. All electrical equipment that you will use in order to do electroplating must be grounded.

Personal safety is the most important rule that must be strictly adhered to when electroplating at home. Measures that can provide such security include:

use of a respirator to protect the respiratory tract;
hand protection with soft and durable rubber gloves;
the use of an oilcloth apron and shoes that can protect the skin of the legs from burns;
protection of the organs of vision with the help of special glasses.

In addition, during the electroplating procedure, you should not eat or drink anything, so as not to accidentally swallow harmful fumes.

To be prepared for any surprises that may arise in the process of performing such an operation, it is better to read special literature first or even watch a training video on this topic.

nickel plating

Metal plating with a layer of nickel at home can be performed as finishing or before chrome plating. This process is called “electroplating”, since the nickel layer applied to the surface of the product increases its resistance to negative environmental factors. In addition to high protective properties, the nickel layer is also distinguished by its decorative appeal.

The electrolyte temperature during nickel plating does not exceed 25°, and the current density is within 1.2 A/dm 2 . The electrolyte, the acidity of which should be in the range of 4-5 pH, is an aqueous solution, which includes such chemical elements like nickel sulfate, magnesium, sodium, edible salt, boric acid.

After completion of the electroplating process, the product is removed from the electrolytic solution, washed in water, thoroughly dried and polished.

Chrome plating

Galvanic chrome plating at home or on manufacturing plant allows you to give the surface layer of the workpiece a higher hardness, resistance to corrosion, as well as decorative. Since the chromium coating is characterized by a rather high porosity, it is performed after the galvanic deposition of copper on the workpiece (or nickel plating). To perform such a technological operation, anodes are used, which are made of an alloy of lead, tin and antimony.

On the final result of chromium plating, which is quite difficult to perform at home, since it requires the use of currents high density- up to 100 A / dm 2, various factors influence. The most significant of them include:

the temperature of the electrolyte used - from given parameter the shade of the formed coating depends, which can be matte (temperature below 35 °), shiny (35–55 °) and milky (above 55 °);
chemical composition electrolyte, which affects the protective properties of the formed coating, as well as its color, which can be dark blue, blue, agate.

The final stage of chromium plating after removing the part from the electrolytic solution is washing the treated surface with water, followed by neutralization in the solution baking soda, another washing, drying and polishing using special pastes.

copper plating

Copper plating using electroplating at home is necessary in order to create a conductive layer on the surface of the workpiece, which is characterized by a small value electrical resistance, as well as in order to protect the part from the negative effects of the external environment.

Applying a layer of copper to steel and cast iron products without first coating them with a layer of nickel is deadly, since this requires the use of cyanide electrolyte.

After preliminary nickel plating, the metal is covered with a layer of copper using a solution of copper sulfate, concentrated sulfuric acid and water at room temperature.

There are two types of galvanization - electroplating and electroplating. In the first case, a non-removable galvanic coating is obtained, which changes the characteristics of parts and objects. Depending on the goals pursued, processed products acquire new properties: decorative effect, good reflectivity, resistance to mechanical impact and corrosion, wear resistance. With the help of electroforming at home or in production, exact copies of samples are created (the deposited metal layer is separated from the matrix).

Galvanization technology: general information

Regardless of whether performed or at home, the treatment is carried out in a container filled with a conductive solution.

The object is placed between two soluble or insoluble anodes and connected to the negative terminal. The anodes are connected to the positive contact. The optimal ratio of cathode/anode areas is 1:1.

The galvanization process starts when the electrical network is closed - from this moment, the transfer of metal ions to the negatively charged product (cathode) begins. As a result, a coating of the desired thickness is formed on the object.

Choice of type of coverage

If the priority is the solution of technical problems (change in electrical conductivity and anti-friction properties, increase in reflectivity, strength, resistance to corrosion), then silver, nickel, copper are used. For decorative purposes, precious metals are commonly used: rhodium, gold, silver, palladium.

This division is very conditional. With the help of silvering (gilding) it is possible to obtain high-quality protective covering resistant to aggressive environments. Copper plating is also used in the decoration of products (such a coating is subjected to additional oxide treatment).

Practice shows that it is possible to seriously increase the strength of workpieces by galvanizing their surface only in production. It is difficult to achieve the desired result in a home workshop, so the work of the craftsmen is primarily aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the object.

Electroplating method

Do-it-yourself electroplating at home requires the use of special equipment. It doesn't have to be professional at all. Masters find an affordable replacement.

When preparing a galvanic installation with your own hands, the master will have to find a plastic or glass bath the required volume. A sufficiently strong, electrically insulating, acid-resistant container is required. The object to be processed and the required amount of electrolyte and anodes must fit in it.

The power source must have an output voltage and current regulator - this will allow the master to change the processing parameters during the work. Usually the rectifier becomes the power source.

An important element of a home installation is soluble and insoluble anodes.

In order for the process to proceed correctly, the craftsmen observe the optimal ratio of the areas of the part and anodes (1: 1). Suspension devices provide support to the object and contribute to the correct distribution of current.

Electroplating process

Electroplating at home is carried out using reagents. Difficulties can arise at this stage - many chemicals are available only to those who have previously obtained permits.

Need to take care of proper storage components. Reagents, as well as ready-made electrolytes, are placed in glass or strong plastic containers with lids.

When preparing the composition, it is extremely important to measure all components with great accuracy - it is best to use electronic scales for this.

Preparatory process

Quality (uniformity, strength) finished coating directly depends on the correctness of the preparation of the surface for galvanization. In many cases, removing dirt and degreasing is not enough - it may be necessary to sandblasting. Sometimes grinding with special pastes or sandpaper is required.

At home, alcohol and other organic solvents are often used to remove greasy film and other contaminants from surfaces. Degreasing solutions may also be used.

In preparation for the galvanization of steel and cast iron products, a solution containing soda ash, caustic, silicate glue is used (based on 1 liter - 50 g, 20 g and 5-15 g, respectively). The temperature of the solution is 70-90°C. To clean items made of non-ferrous metals, a solution of sodium hydrogen phosphate and household solid soap (10-20 g / 1 l) is used. During the procedure, the temperature is 90°C.

Safety

When carrying out galvanic operations, the master is obliged to observe safety precautions. The danger of this technological process lies in the use of toxic chemical components. The situation is complicated by heating the electrolyte to high temperatures. Harmful fumes are striking respiratory system, there is a risk of chemical burns to the skin and mucous membranes.

Work must be carried out in non-residential premises, equipped with good ventilation - in the workshop, extension, garage. Grounding is required.

Eyes must be protected with goggles. Hand gloves should be soft enough, but durable. You will also need an oilcloth apron and rubber shoes.

You can’t drink or eat at the workplace - there is a high risk of deposition of harmful substances on the products that will lead to poisoning.

Before starting work, you should definitely study the special literature with an accessible description of the features of the process.

Precious metals in electroplating

Electroplating gilding (silver) is used to give the product decorative properties. When using the galvanic method, craftsmen receive not only an ennobled precious metal item, but an exact copy of the original product. It can be both simple and complex. The layer of metal deposited on the workpiece is separated from the base.

The surface of objects made of ferrous metals is preliminarily copper plated before silvering. The temperature of the solution depends on the composition used. The anodes are made from 999 purity silver.

Process electroplating gilding requires the use of ready-made electrolytes. The part is pre-cleaned and treated to improve adhesion with electroplated nickel. If the object is made of aluminum and its alloys, it is impossible to apply gilding at home. The gilded object is thoroughly washed and then air-dried.

Nickel in electroplating

A layer of nickel is applied to the workpiece before the gilding procedure. Nickel has good protective properties - it protects the surface of the workpiece from the action of aggressive factors, withstands contact with various media, and prevents oxidation and corrosion.

Nickel plating looks great. The thickness of the layer is different - from 0.8 to 55 microns. When processing objects, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid or sulfamic electrolytes are used. Temperature, acidity, current density depend on the composition of the solution.

Copper in electroplating

copper plating:

protects the workpiece surface from corrosion;
creates a surface layer with low electrical resistance.
It should be noted that without preliminary nickel plating cast iron surfaces can only be copper-plated in an alkaline electrolyte. Such a solution is used in industries.