Electroless nickel (E.N.) plating is achieved via an auto-catalytic reaction which deposits a coating of nickel onto a substrate. Unlike electroplating, it does not rely on forming a deposit by passing an electric current through the solution.

The Electroless Nickel plating technique prevents corrosion and wear.  It deposits the nickel coating uniformly over the component and is a very accurate method especially suited to more complex shaped items.

Electroless nickel plating has advantages over electroplating. Independent of flux-density and power supply issues, it provides an even deposit regardless of the geometry, and given the right pre-plate catalyst, can even deposit on non-conductive surfaces.

The plating technique can also be used to create composite coatings by suspending powder in the chemical bath.

Materials

E.N. is suitable for a range of metals including stainless steels, aluminium, alloy steels, copper and its alloys, magnesium, nickel and its alloys, beryllium and titanium.  This is a versatile process which gives consistently excellent results.

Features of Electroless Nickel

• N. is harder as deposited than electrolytic nickel

Example of hardness, a 30 micron deposit on steel is 630-670 HV

• N. can also be heat treated to give an even harder finish
• N. is fully bright mid phosphorus which is ELV, RoHS & WEEE compliant, lead and cadmium free
• N. meets MIL-C-26074E, AMS 2404 & AMS 2405 specifications