ELECTROLESS NICKEL

Electroless nickel plating is an auto catalytic reaction, used to deposit a layer of nickel-phosphorous alloy on a base material. Unlike electroplating processes, during electroless nickel plating, electric current is not necessary for the deposition of the surface layer. The advantage of this process is a uniform thickness of the deposited layer even on complicated shapes, in many cases removing the necessity for subsequent machining of the workpiece. The deposited layer is highly corrosion resistant due to its low porosity and can be subsequently heat treated to achieve a hardness of up to 1000 HV. Electroless nickel plating is used in many different applications, particularly in applications demanding high hardness and corrosion resistance. Electroless nickel plating with heat treatment can be used in some applications as a non-toxic substitute for hard chrome plating. Bomex owns an electroless nickel plating line with the largest tanks in the Czech Republic.

Surface properties

• Uniform layer even on irregularly shaped parts, does not require subsequent grinding
• As plated hardness of  570-660 HV (53-58 HRc)
• Optional heat treated hardness of up to 1000 HV (69 HRc)
• Excellent corrosion resistance due to low porosity of deposited layer
• High abrasion resistance
• Natural lubricity of the surface layer, static coefficient of friction on steel: 0.13 lubricated, up to 0.4 without lubricant
• Semi-bright to bright appearance
• Deposit is non-toxic, suitable for medical and food-processing industry
• Low hydrogen absorption, approximately 1/5 that of electrolytic nickel plating and 1/10 that of hard chrome plating
• Good wettability for oils

Layer thickness

• 3 – 80 µm

Part dimensions

• Lengths up to 2.3 m
• Maximum weight of 250 kg

Base materials

• Steel
• Cast iron
• Aluminium and its alloys
• Brass
• Copper

Applications

Electroless nickel plating is used in many industries and applications due to its properties, such as corrosion resistance, hardness, abrasion resistance and non-toxicity. Below are few examples of its use:

• General industry: shafts, cylinders, mould cavities and a countless number of other parts
• Automotive industry: brake pistons, caliper pins, transmission components, etc.
• Oil, gas and chemical industries: flanges, tubes and pipes, pump components, valve bodies, etc.
• A vast number of parts for electronics, aircraft, food processing and other industries