Electroplating A Bug
(The Old Fashion Way)
Electroplating & Refining, Watt & Philip, 1911
Fragile
objects, to which the ordinary methods of plumbagoing could
not be applied, may be prepared to receive a deposit of
copper in the sulphate bath by the following method:
A beetle, for instance is first attached to a copper wire:
it is next dipped in a weak solution of nitrate of silver
(about forty grains of the nitrate dissolved in one ounce of
distilled water), and after being allowed to drain, but
before it is dry, it is to be exposed to the vapour of
phosphorus under a bell-glass. To produce the vapour a small
piece of phosphorus is dissolved in a little alcohol: this
is poured into a watch glass, which is then placed in a
plate containing hot sand. The object being fixed by its
wire in such a position that it cannot shift, the bell-glass
is to be placed over the whole, and allowed to remain
undisturbed for about half an hour. The sand should not be
hot enough to endanger the bell-glass. By this process, the
silver of the nitrate is reduced to its metallic state,
causing the object to become a conductor of electricity: it
is then ready for the coppering bath, in which it must be
immersed with great care. Since very light objects will not
sink in the solution bath, it is a good plan to form a loop
in the conducting wire, to which a piece of strong silk
thread or twine, having a small leaden weight connected to
the opposite end, may be fastened. By this, simple
contrivance light objects and floating moulds, as those made
of gutta-percha, wax, etc. may be easily sunk into the bath,
and retained therein until sufficiently coated.
The most efficient application of phosphorus for the above
purpose consists in dipping the object in a solution of
phosphorus in bisulphide of carbon. This highly volatile
substance dissolves phosphorus very freely: the solution,
known as "Greek fire," is a most dangerous compound to
handle, and if any of it drop upon the skin it may produce
sores of a serious nature: more over, if it by incautiously
allowed to drop upon the clothing, or upon the floor, it may
afterwards ignite and do much mischief. In employing the
solution of phosphorus, therefore, the greatest possible
care must be observed. The object, being attached to a wire,
is dipped into the solution, and after being allowed to rest
for a few seconds, is next immersed in a weal solution of
nitrate of silver, and afterwards allowed to dry in the
light. If the object, after being dipped in the phosphorus
solution, were allowed to remain in the air for more than a
few seconds before being placed in the nitrate solution, it
is very liable to become ignited. The solution of phosphorus
is prepared by dissolving a small portion of the substance
in bisulphide of carbon, about one part of phosphorus by
weight being sufficient for the purpose in 20 of bisulphide
of carbon.
