Anodizing
28 June 2016

Electroless Nickel Plating

The Electroless Nickel Plating (nickel-phosphorus alloy) is a consolidated chemical technique plating process which uses the direct action of the reducing substances on the nickel ions to be deposited. Unlike the electrolytic nickel plating, Electroless Nickel Plating deposition can be obtained on any surface, metal, plastic, ceramic or glass; furthermore, it is distinguished by the perfect regularity of the thickness of the deposit regardless of the geometry of the details treated.
Key benefits of the chemical nickel are:
· Adhesion;
· The process can plate recesses and blind holes with stable thickness;
· Uniformity of the plating;
· Retention of the basic roughness;
· Corrosion resistance:

a chemical nickel coating, which has a very low porosity, completely seals the base material protecting it from corrosion. This percentage of phosphorus in the alloy is fundamental, in fact it guarantees the chemical nickel-plating characteristics such as self-lubrication and waterproofing.

· Hardness and wear resistance:

A chemical nickel deposit has an hardness of 550-650 HV (52-58 HRC), amounting already own the best hardened steels. Is possible to increase the hardness by performing an heat treatment (annealing of the workpiece) coated at temperatures between 200 and 300° C for several hours, obtaining from a minimum of 48 HRC even up to 1200 HV (72 HRC), a value exceeding are achievable with chrome plating. The heat treatment also contributes to elevate the resistance to wear, bringing it to values equal to those of the chromium.

· Process Applicability:

The electroless nickel plating can be applied on the following types of materials: ferrous; stainless steel and carbon steel, cast iron, aluminum and its alloys, brass, copper, plastics, etc.