In addition to the major metal components, plating solutions contain a variety of other compounds such as complexing agents, buffering agents, and reducing agents. To ensure product safety and enhance productivity, the plating solution must be periodically analyzed at the time of the initial make-up of the electrolytic bath and during plating work.
The high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) permits rapid and accurate analysis of these components.
This separation/analysis instrument is widely used for the quantitative analysis of inorganic ions. Ion chromatographs are available as suppressor types that allow ultra-high-sensitivity analysis to the ppb level and as non-suppressor types that support diverse applications.
