Patent ID: 6010610
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: C25D

Abstract:
A method of electroplating particulates in a metallic ion-containing electrolyte solution within an electroplating device having an anode and a cathode plate comprising at least one cycle of operation having at least three essentially independent steps performed separately and in sequence consisting of the steps of: stirring, sedimentation and electroplating with the sedimentation step occurring over an essentially quiescent time interval with essentially no current flow through the electrolyte and essentially no stirring so as to form a sedimentation layer of loosely contacted particulates on said cathode plate, applying an electromotive potential across said anode and cathode plate to create an electric current in said electrolyte for performing said electroplating step at a current density of over at least 5 A/dm.sup.2 and performing the stirring step immediately following the step of electroplating with the stirring operation being sufficiently vigorous at least at the outset thereof to disperse the particulates in the sedimentation layer and to break up particulates bridged by metallic coating formed during the previous step of electroplating.