Electroless Nickel is a nickel phos alloy deposit plated by chemical reduction, without applying an external electrical current, onto a suitable substrate. Electroless Nickel provides very uniform, hard, lubricious coatings. The deposit uniformity allows plating of various coating thicknesses on any section of a part exposed to fresh plating solution. Grooves, slots, blind holes, threads, and even the inside of tubing can have the same thickness of coating. As a direct result of the deposit uniformity many post-plate finishing steps such as grinding, can be eliminated, thus lowering overall costs.
The benifits of PTFE electroless nickel plating include long life lubrication for inaccessible parts, increased efficiency and quieter operation for slides, bearings, and cylinder/piston assemblies, reliable operation of moving parts when continuously exposed to solvents or working in cryogenic temperatures, and self lubrication for components in electronic and other sensitive equipment where conventional lubricants would be harmful.
By varying the percentage of phosphorus in the coating, deposits can be produced that exhibit a variety of properties.
High Phosphorus Alloy - More than 10% by weight - yield deposits that are non-magnetic and highly corrosion resistant.
Low Phosphorous Alloy - Less than 8% by weight - yield proportionately harder deposits with excellent wear resistance.
Deposit Properties |
Mid Phosphorous |
High Phosphorous |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphorous Content (wgt%) |
Mid Phosphorous
5-9
|
High Phosphorous
10-13
|
| Rockwell 'C' HK (100) as plated |
Mid Phosphorous
58-62
|
High Phosphorous
46-50
|
| Rockwell 'C' Heat Treatment |
Mid Phosphorous
66-70
|
High Phosphorous
66-68
|
| Corrosion Resistance/Protection |
Mid Phosphorous
Fair
|
High Phosphorous
Excellent
|
| (ASTM B-117) hours @ 25.4 microns |
Mid Phosphorous
96
|
High Phosphorous
1000+
|
| Nitric Acid Test |
Mid Phosphorous
Fail
|
High Phosphorous
Pass
|
| Magnetic Properties |
Mid Phosphorous
Magnetic
|
High Phosphorous
Non-Magnetic
|
| Physical Appearance |
Mid Phosphorous
Bright
|
High Phosphorous
Semi-Bright
|
The image below is an approximation of finish appearance. Please reach out to us, or request a quote for more information on mid or high phosphorous electroless nickel plating.
