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Syllabus
Technicians Certificate
General Principles
1. WHY SURFACE FINISHING
1.1 Introduction to Surface Finishing –Technology, Terminology and Description
1.2 Describe the nature of the Surface Finishing Industry and its economic
Significance.
1.3 Describe the main processes used for Surface Finishing and their basic
Principles.
1.4 Describe the purposes for which these finishes are applied to substrates.
1.5 List the strengths and weaknesses of these various surface finishes.
Give examples that show how to decide which finish is appropriate for a particular function.
2. SURFACE REACTIONS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
2.1 Explain the difference between a homogenous and hetergeneous reaction.
2.2 Understand what makes a reaction take place and what causes the reactants to
reach the surface of electrodes.
2.3 Recognise a Faradaic Reaction and know how its rate is measured.
2.4 List the factors that affect the rate of a Faradaic Reaction.
2.5 Give examples of some simple Faradaic Reactions and their behaviour.
3. PROPERTIES OF ELECTROLYTES
3.1 List the components of an electrodeposition bath.
3.2 Explain the role played by each component.
3.3 Measure pH and solution density.
3.4 Describe the effect of temperature on density and electrolyte conductivity.
3.5 Understand buffering action and buffering capacity.
4. PROPERTIES OF ELECTRODEPOSITED MATERIALS
4.1 Recognise the major macrostructural features of an electrodeposited metal.
4.2 Recognise the major microstructural features of an electrodeposited metal
4.3 List the main methods for measurement of thickness of electrodeposited metals.
4.4 Recognise the importance of density in measurement of the amount of metal electrodeposited per unit area.
4.5 Recognise the factors that give good adhesion of electrodeposited metals to substrates.
4.6 Appreciate that non-metals can be co-deposited with metals to form alloys and that non-metallic particles can be co-deposited with metals to form composite coatings.
4.7 Recognise that metals may be deposited in a state of tensile or compressive stress.
5. THE ANODISING OF ALUMINIUM
5.1 Understand what is meant by the term ‘anodising’.
5.2 Know the metals that are anodized commercially.
5.3 Know how to anodise a sample of aluminium.
5.4 Describe the structure of anodically formed oxide on aluminium.
5.5 List the various conditions that can be used to anodise aluminium and how these affect the properties and thickness of the oxide thus formed.
5.6 Know how to colour and seal a sample of anodised aluminium.
6. PROCESS CONTROL IN SURFACE FINISHING
6.1 Explain the meaning of Process Control.
6.2 Explain the benefits of Process Control.
6.3 Keep a log of a Surface Finishing Process.
6.4 Use a Hull Cell.
6.5 Explain the importance of Plant Control.
6.6 Appreciate what a Hull Cell test can show.
6.7 Appreciate the application of Hull Cell tests.
6.8 Understand possible sources of impurities affecting processes.
7. METAL FINISHING OF PRINTED CIRCUITS
7.1 Show the necessity for printed circuit technology.
7.2 Identify the main steps in a p.c.b. processing sequence.
7.3 Describe the contribution of Surface Finishing in the p.c.b. processing sequence.
7.4 List the metals and alloys, which are electrodeposited onto PCBs.
7.5 Explain the function of etching processes in PCB manufacture.
7.6 List the main etches together with their strengths and weaknesses.
7.7 Describe what is meant by ‘undercutting’.
8. THE ORGANIC FINISHING OF METALS
8.1 List the main components of paint.
8.2 Understand the main function of each component.
8.3 List the main film-forming processes.
8.4 Understand the terms monomer and polymer.
8.5 Recognise the difference between paint and lacquer.
8.6 Understand how pigments are used to colour paint.
8.7 Appreciate the difference between pigmented paint and tinted lacquers.
8.8 List the main methods of paint application.
8.9 Describe the most important tests for liquid paint – viscosity, flash point, specific gravity and solids.
8.10 Describe the most important tests for dry paint films – gloss, hardness and adhesion.
8.11 Carry out a pencil-hardness test.
8.12 Appreciate how metals can be powder coated.
8.13 Understand the difference between thermoplastic and thermosetting resins.
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