At Whitaker, we provide electroless nickel plating on a variety of substrates, including aluminum, brass, and steel, in both rack and bulk plating processes. We can accommodate those customers who require cadmium and lead free electroless nickel for ROHS and ELV compliance.
Electroless nickel plating, or "EN", is an auto-catalytic chemical technique used to deposit a layer of nickel- phosphorus or nickel- boron alloy on a solid work piece, such as metals or plastic. This plating technique is to prevent corrosion and wear and can be heat treated to provide surface hardness levels in the range of 60-62 HRC.
Electroless nickel plating is sometimes known as chemical or autocatalytic nickel plating. Due to its exceptional corrosion resistance and high hardness, the process finds wide application on items such as valves, pump parts etc., to enhance the life of components exposed to severe conditions of service.
Electroless nickel plating has the following advantages:
- The need for complicated jig and anode arrangements is avoided
- A unique throwing power of the solution
- The coating grows at uniform thickness on the entire part including inside surfaces.
- Uniformity of the deposits, even on complex shapes
Electroless nickel plating chemicals are available in bright, ultra bright, and semi bright.