Electroless nickel plating process

Electroless nickel is an autocatalytic plating process. It differs from traditional electroplating as no electric current is used in the plating process. This allows uniformity and dimensional precision to 1um. It also has a very high wear resistance and a hardness of 500-900 HV. It also provides excellent corrosion resistance with a thickness of 1um to 50 um and uniform coverage.

Plates can be manufactured to MIL-C-26074/ AMS-2405B/AMS2404D specifications.

Electrolytic nickel in bright, semi-bright and dull finishes

Nickel is electrolytically deposited. Parts processed with bright nickel maintain their surface appearance and brightness over time. Commonly used as a base plating layer as it provides excellent adhesion between layers and can have a levelling effect on pits or other defects in the base material.

Electrolytic nickel properties include:

• Extremely resistant to atmospheric corrosion, making it an excellent choice as a final layer
• Magnetic properties
• Improved wear resistance when used with soft metals such as copper
• Superior barrier layer between metals that can experience self diffusion into each other e.g. tin or copper.
• Nickel can be plated to a dull/semi bright or bright finish.
• Processed to BS1224/AMS2424