How to Print Metallic Silver on Aluminum
Printing or transferring the surface of one metal to the surface of another has been done for over a century now via electroplating. During the electroplating process, two metals are placed in a liquid solution that facilitates electrolysis or the use of electrolytic cells to transfer metal from one piece to another. Each metal piece connects to the negative and positive ends of an electric conductor such as a battery or power adapter. Once the process is complete, the metallic properties of the metal connected to the positive charge will be printed onto the metal connected to the negative charge.
Things You'll Need
- Aluminum plating solution
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Beaker
- Wall mounted power adapter with alligator clips
Instructions
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1
Purchase aluminum plating solution from your local hobby shop or an online electroplating kit retailer.
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2
Put on the goggles and gloves to prevent incidental eye or skin contact during the plating process.
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3
Pour enough plating solution into the beaker to fully submerge the aluminum piece that the metallic silver pieces is being plated onto. Use a beaker that is large enough to accommodate both pieces without them touching. If the pieces come in contact with each other during the plating process, dark spots or staining may occur on the aluminum.
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4
Connect the positive charged alligator clip to the metallic silver piece and the negative charged alligator clip to the aluminum. Place both pieces into the solution.
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5
Ensure that the alligator clips are not touching each other; if the clips touch during the plating process, the power adapter may short out. Plug the wall mounted power adapter into the closest electrical allow.
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6
Allow the plating process to work until the aluminum piece assumes all the physical properties of the metallic silver piece. This process can be monitored by observation through the beaker or occasionally removing the aluminum piece and visually inspecting it.
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