Chemistry Forum

hi, does anyone know what kind of sollution (My question is, what kind of electrolyte can I use? I would prefer something easily available if possible from ordinary household chemicals, is this feasible?) I need in order to plate copper wire with iron?

I know I neet to connect iron wire with - terminal and coper wire to the + terminal. I use 12volt battery.

Why do you need to plate copper with iron? Doesn't make much sense to me. Use FeSO₄ if you really need to. If not available, make by dissolving a nail in HCl (FeCl₂ will do to) or diluted 20% H₂SO₄. Remove the wire quickly after plating and wash with water. Otherwise the iron layer will quickly dissolve back in the acid.

I want to try to make soldering tip for my iron. It is made from copper plated with IRON to prevent solder from "eating" the copper tip.

Are my terminals connection correct?

OK, I've got it. It makes sense as long as you put a good layer of iron over the copper tip. You can easily test right polarity by immersing both electrodes made of copper wire into iron (II) salt solution. You will see one electrode turning black or grey - that's the right one. The problem is that in many cases the metal may precipitate in a "sponge" form and do not create a good mechanical protection.
Another problem is that iron may not be a good layer for molten soldering alloy. Usually phosphoric acid or other specialized flux required to clean iron surface from stubborn oxide layer before it can be covered with molten soldering alloy.
If I were you, I would reserve a set of copper tips and change them as needed.