Historical Articles

January, 1954 issue of Plating

 

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EDITORIAL

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Ion Exchangers in Plating Bath Analyses—A Forecast

PROOF THAT the use of ion exchangers in metal-finishing operations is an accepted industry technique is evident in the consistently growing application of the method in metal ion recovery from rinse waters and in the treatment of water for process lines.

The article in this issue by Mr. Gabrielson of Sweden tells of another valuable use for these materials. While the use of ion exchangers in analytical chemistry is not new, the determination of boric acid, a major constituent of many plating baths, through utilization of a sulfonic acid resin exchanger, is novel and of interest to platers. The procedure yields repetitively accurate results and appears to be a forerunner of additional practical applications for such “ion-trading” materials in other-analytical methods.

By coincidence, convincing extra evidence to such a belief is provided in this issue in the book review by Dr. Harold Read. He states that “one can see many possible applications to the analytical problems of metal finishing, particularly to the determination of impurities and addition agents in plating baths.”

It is a matter of record that the reporting of new methods has stimulated further work along similar lines in the past. Through identical effort in this instance, improved techniques that offer practical advantages will be found and, no doubt, will be published for the benefit of all. To this end, the first-time release of the new procedure is another reaffirmation of the dedicated aims of the Society as printed on the masthead of this journal.

— Al Korbelak

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