Electroless Nickel Plating

Electroless Nickel process for superior corrosion resistance, uniform coating, and enhanced durability. Ideal for precision engineering and industrial applications, our advanced plating solutions ensure optimal performance and longevity.

The process of adding an electroless nickel plating to a metal surface is an autocatalytic chemical reduction. Unlike the electroplating process, the electroless nickel plating process uses a chemical bath to deposit a nickel / phosphorous layer onto the metallic surface. By carefully controlling the chemical reaction, we can deposit a reliable, repeatable coating of uniform thickness.

A surface coated in electroless nickel can even be used on non-conductive surfaces which allows for plating of a wider variety of base materials. This electroless process greatly improves the objects’ resistance to galling and leaves a predictable, uniform nickel coating for high-precision parts, which can be applied to both ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces of any geometry or intricate shape.

Electroless nickel can also be rendered non-magnetic, making it the optimal choice for electromagnetic shielding. EN can be applied over a variety of substrates including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and many proprietary alloys.

This process is valued for its ability to provide excellent corrosion resistance, hardness, and wear resistance.

Many Industrial Applications of EN:

• Corrosion Resistance: Protects components from harsh environments.
• Wear Resistance: Enhances the durability of parts subject to friction.
• Uniform Coating: Ensures even coverage on complex shapes and surfaces.

Industries that commonly use Electroless Nickel plating:

• Automotive: Used for fuel systems, brake components, and engine parts.
• Aerospace: Applied to aircraft components, landing gear, and fasteners.
• Electronics: Ideal for connectors, contacts, and circuit boards.
• Oil and Gas: Protects equipment exposed to corrosive substances.
• Food Processing: Ensures safe and resilient surfaces for machinery

The most common question we get… Why use electroless nickel over regular bright nickel plating?

Electroless nickel is preferred over regular bright nickel plating when you need a more uniform coating on complex geometries, superior corrosion resistance due to its phosphorus content, and excellent surface coverage on even non-conductive materials, as electroless nickel plating is an immersion process that deposits a consistent layer on all accessible surfaces, unlike electrolytic plating which relies on an electrical current and can have variations in thickness depending on the surface profile; making it ideal for applications where consistent wear resistance and protection against corrosion are crucial, even on intricate parts with hard-to-reach areas.

Key differences between Electroless Nickel and Bright Nickel Electroplating:

Surface coverage:
Electroless nickel provides a more uniform coating on complex shapes and even on non-conductive materials, while bright nickel plating can have variations in thickness depending on the surface geometry.

Corrosion resistance:
Electroless nickel typically has better corrosion resistance due to the inclusion of phosphorus in the plating composition.

Process:
Electroless nickel is an immersion (chemical) process, meaning the plating solution comes into contact with the entire surface simultaneously, whereas bright nickel plating uses an electric current which can lead to uneven deposition in the hard-to-reach areas such as machined slots or through holes.

When to use bright nickel plating instead of Electroless Nickel: 

1. When a highly aesthetic finish is required, as bright nickel plating can produce a very shiny appearance.
2. When cost is a major concern, as bright nickel plating can sometimes be more cost-effective depending on the application compared to other finishes.