Electroless Nickel Plating
Unlike traditional nickel plating, electroless plating deposits a nickel-phosphorous alloy onto a wide range of materials without needing an externally applied electrical current. Instead, it occurs due to a chemical reduction of the nickel ions within the solution.
Gleco Plating offers electroless nickel plating in MIL-C-26074, ASTM B733, and AMS 2404 specs on materials that include:
- Copper and Copper Alloys
- Brass
- Nickel-Silver
- Aluminum Alloys
- A variety of steels
- Inconel
- Monel
- Hastalloy
Electroless nickel plating is used for parts requiring a hard coat, corrosion resistance, and protection against wear. Due to its high hardness, it can also be used to salvage worn parts.
One of the most attractive things about this plating option is that its parts don’t typically require additional machining, grinding, or surface finishing.
The Electroless Nickel Plating Process
Electroless Nickel plating is applied in 3 steps without the need for electrical current :
- Parts are cleaned to remove surface contaminants.
- A nickel-phosphorous alloy bath is prepared.
- The part is placed in the nickel bath, where a chemical reduction (reaction) from hypophosphite applies the coating to each part.
Benefits of Electroless Nickel Plating
Electroless Nickel plating is an ideal solution for those seeking:
- Reduced porosity (for optimum corrosion resistance)
- Erosion resistance
- Extreme uniformity
- Excellent lubricity
- Enhanced hardness
Electroless Nickel Plating Applications
Electroless Nickel plating is used by the automotive, electronics, industrial, and commercial industries to finish:
- Valves
- Rotors
- Driveshafts
- Printed circuit boards
- Tools
- Door knobs
- Kitchen utensils
- Bathroom fixtures
If your part requires an especially hard and uniform finish that is particularly corrosion resistant, Electroless Nickel Plating may be the solution. Contact the plating experts at Gleco Plating today to learn more.