Abstract

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Electroplating of any metal or alloy requires cleansing to remove dirt’s, earthen particles, and/ or corrosion products on the surface by immersing the metal or alloy in acid pickling baths which results in metal dissolution with copious evolution of hydrogen fumes. In the present study, Leaves extract of the plant, Hyptis suaveolens (HYP) was investigated as pickling inhibitor. Tests were conducted with rusted iron plates, collected from local electroplating industry by immersing them in hydrochloric acid without and with 10% (v/v) of plant extract. The weights of the plates were taken before and after pickling in commercial hydrochloric acid with and without plant extract. It was found that the weight loss of the plate immersed in acid containing plant extract was lesser compared to that in acid without extract. Both the pickled plates were then subjected to electroplating. Better deposition of nickel and chromium metals from electroplating baths on the plate pickled in acid containing plant inhibitor with weight increase; substantiate the benefit of using the plant extract in pickling bath investigated.

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