Engineering properties of nickel...lubricity of teflon®...repeatable coating of uniform thickness
Electroless nickel is a well-known process used to deposit a nickel phosphorous alloy onto metal substrates. A less widely-known process co-deposits polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) molecules, usually called by the trade name Teflon®, yielding a surface with the engineering properties of nickel and the additional lubricity of Teflon®. As with standard electroless nickel, the deposit occurs via an autocatalytic chemical reaction so that a reliable, repeatable coating of uniform thickness is generated. This makes it possible to effectively coats parts with sharp edges, deep recesses, seams, threads, and complex geometries. In some cases, the use of the electroless nickel/Teflon® provides lubricity sufficient to eliminate the use of other lubricants. The appearance of the plated finish is usually dull silver-gray.
Electroless nickel/Teflon® can be applied over a variety of substrates including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and others. This process is difficult to perform well, but Chem Processing, Inc. draws on over three decades of experience to provide a consistent, high-quality finish. For more information on this process, or other processes that incorporate fluoropolymers, please contact Chem Processing, Inc.
Chem Processing Inc. Electroless Nickel/Teflon® 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)
- 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
Related Finishes
Chem Processing Inc. offers electroless nickel/Teflon® 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. |
