Electronic Chemicals

Market Segments - General Metal Finishing

Mechanical Deposit Properties

Coating Hardness
The hardness of electroless nickel is a key factor in its choice as a premium coating for applications requiring resistance to wear. Harder than almost all electrolytic coatings offered today, electroless nickel offers “as plated” hardness of 660-700 HV for low- phosphorus deposits, 500-550 HV for mid-phosphorus deposits and 450-500 HV for high- phosphorus deposits. With a subsequent heat treatment, these hardnesses can be raised to 950HV, rivaling the hardness of hard chromium deposits.

Coating Hardness after Heat Treatment
In addition to superior hardness, electroless nickel deposits offer very good corrosion resistance to a wide variety of acidic and alkaline environments. This superior corrosion protection arises from their nano-crystalline to fully amorphous structure, which can be tailored to meet various requirements. Low-phosphorus electroless nickel deposits offer the best protection for highly alkaline environments. Mid-phosphorus electroless nickel deposits offer moderate protection for both alkaline and acidic environments. High-phosphorus electroless nickel deposits offer superior protection for acidic environments.

Thickness Distribution
Electroless nickel is an autocatalytic chemical reduction process that evenly coats even the most complex-shaped parts, allowing ease of coverage of blind holes and internal surfaces. Because rectification is not required, the Faraday cage effect does not exist where higher-than- desired coating thicknesses are present on outside edges and surfaces, with little to no coating thickness on internal or blind areas of a part. In some applications, this feature can eliminate the need for post-plate grinding. The even thickness distribution over an entire part, along with its combination of superior chemical and wear resistance, make electroless nickel a top choice for the protection of valuable parts and equipment.