Electroless Nickel Plating

Electroless Nickel...uniform thickness...excellent corrosion protection...solderability...can replace stainless steel...eliminate the need for liquid Lubricants

Electroless Nickel is the deposition of a nickel-phophorous alloy without the use of an electrical current. The electroless nickel plating process utilizes an autocatalytic chemical reaction to deposit a reliable, repeatable coating of uniform thickness. This uniformity of deposit can, in some cases, eliminate the need for post-plate grinding. Electroless nickel demonstrates excellent corrosion protection, with similar lubricity properties to plated chromium. Electroless nickel effectively coats parts with sharp edges, deep recesses, seams, threads, and complex geometries. Variations of electroless nickel bath chemistry include:

• High Phosphorus (10% to 13%): for applications that need superior corrosion protection (especially in acid environments) such as in the oil & gas or mining industries; solderability decreases soon after plating
  
• Medium Phosphorus (5% to 9%): for general-use applications; in some cases plated steel parts can replace stainless steel
  
• Low Phosphorus (<5%): for applications that need a hard (up to 60Rc as plated), wear and alkaline resistant coating; best solderabilaty
  
• Nickel-Teflon®: for increased lubricity; can reduce or eliminate the need for liquid lubricants in some applications (see nickel-Teflon page for more information)
  

Chem Processing Inc. Electroless Nickel Plating Capabilities:

• Plating thickness range of 0.0001 to 0.0050 in. (For information on plating over 0.0020 in., please contact Chem Processing, Inc.)
• Rack and Barrel plating available
• Available masking for selective surface plating
• Salt Spray Corrosion Test (1000 hours for high phos; 250 hours for mid-phos)
• Baking after plating can result in hardness as high as 70 Rc
• Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief Bake (Parts with a hardness of 40 Rc or greater will be baked a minimum of 3 hours at 375° F to relieve entrapped hydrogen)
• Thickness Analysis on a Fischer Technology XDL-B X-Ray Fluorescent Spec

Applicable Specifications:

Common Applications of Electroless Nickel Coatings:

• Aerospace Components: For wear resistance, corrosion protection, chemical resistivity and lubricity on valves, pistons and other flight-critical components.
• Electrical Equipment: Due to solderability and conductivity properties.
• Packaging & Handling Machinery: Due to wear resistance, cleanliness and attractive finish.
• Chemical Manufacturing and Transport Equipment: Due to chemical resistance.
• Molds & Dies: Due to a lubricity that minimizes erosion and abrasion.
• Food Service Equipment: For superior corrosion and wear resistance, attractive finish and cleanliness.
• Plastics Manufacturing Equipment: For durability and release properties on injection molds and extrusion dies.
  
• Oil & Gas Components: For corrosion protection in harsh undersea and underground environments for parts such as valves, pumps, pipe fittings and others.
  
• Printing Industry Equipment: For abrasion resistance on conveyance and chemical resistance on printer cylinders.
  
• Automotive Components: For wear protection and corrosion resistance on pistons, cylinders, gears, heat sinks and others.
• Salvage: For restoration of parts to their original dimensions.

Related Finishes

	Copper Plating		Zinc Nickel Plating		Silver Plating		Hard Chrome Plating		Cadmium Plating		Hard Coat Anodizing

Chem Processing Inc. offers electroless nickel plating services to Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Midwest and beyond. CPI is strategically located by highway routes to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, St. Louis, and Minneapolis. The CPI facility is minutes from Rockford Chicago International Airport, a major Midwestern air freight hub, enabling efficient door-to-door delivery across the United States or across the globe.