Electroless nickel plating is a process in which a thin coating of nickel and phosphorus (9-12 wt%) is deposited using an electroless chemical bath.
In contrast to electrolytic processes, electroless nickel plating produces a completely uniform deposit without build-up at the edges, including on complex components with a variable geometry. No finishing is required, while the tolerances of the component are retained.
The high P content (> 9 wt%) gives the electroless nickel coating an amorphous structure and excellent resistance to corrosion. Different results can be achieved, depending on the thickness of the coating.
Corrosion resistance in accordance with the neutral salt spray test under ISO 9227:
| Low resistance | 2 µm to 10 µm | 12 hours |
| Medium resistance | 10 µm to 25 µm | 192 hours |
| High resistance | 25 µm to 50 µm | 480 hours |
| Extremely high resistance | > 50 µm | 960 hours |
The anti-static property prevents particles being attracted and attaching themselves to the component, which is an advantage for clean-room products.
| Melting point | 890°C |
| Expansion coefficient | 13 x 10-6 cm / cm °C |
| Thermal conductivity coefficient | 0,016 cal.cm-1s-1grad-1 (for 10.5 wt% P) |
| Electrical resistance | 50 to 60 µΩcm |
| Contact resistance | 30 mΩ |
| Magnetism (wt%P g) | 4% |
| Ductility | 2.2% to 6% |
| Hardness as deposited | 530 HV0.1 |
Phosphorus content impacts the structure of the coating and lends various properties to the treated component.
High-phosphorus electroless nickel plating is non-magnetic and extremely resistant to corrosion.
Low-phosphorus electroless nickel plating is magnetic and provides betters wear resistance.
Medium-phosphorus electroless nickel plating offers a good mix of the above properties.
Heat treatment has various benefits:
MVT offers the following heat treatments:
Large furnace dimensions: 3,200 × 3,000 × 2,995
Unique properties can be obtained by adding specific substances to the nickel plating coating. We constantly strive to innovate and invest large amounts in R&D to develop our own unique coatings.
The following particles can be added:
