Services
Plating Processes : Nickel

CSL provides nickel plating services using both electroless and electrolytic processes. Each has certain characteristics that make them better suited for specific applications.

Electroless nickel characteristics:

• Autocatalytic plating; reduces nickel ions without the use of electric current
• It is an alloy plating – most common reducing agent is phosphorus rendering nickel-phosphorus deposition
• Generally used on aluminum and its alloys
• By varying phosphorus content in the deposit, one can attain different properties such as hardness, corrosion protection, and magnetism
• It is a conformal coating and hence the deposit is uniform throughout the geometry of the part being plated: no build-up on the edges or ends
• Easy to solder and braze, but difficult to weld

CSL capabilities in electroless nickel plating:

• We offer all ranges of phosphorus content: low, mid, and high
• Non-magnetic, high corrosion resistance coating using high phosphorus content (>11% by weight)
• Meets AMS 2404/5 specifications covering low, mid, and high phosphorus plating
• Thickness from 0.1 mil to 2.0 mil

Applications for electroless nickel:

• Used extensively in medical, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, and computer industries
• High corrosion resistance, passing 1000 hours of salt spray test
• Hard and smooth coating for aesthetics

Electrolytic nickel characteristics:

• Uses external electrical current to deposit the metal
• Matte to bright deposit
• Good wear and abrasion resistance
• High corrosion resistance when used as a “duplex” nickel; combination of semi-bright (sulfur-free) and bright nickel
• Many types of baths available for specific engineering requirements
• Magnetic in nature

CSL capabilities in electrolytic nickel plating:

• Sulfamate bath:
  • Low-stress deposit
  • Hard and corrosion resistant
  • Hardness minimum of 450 knoops (or minimum 40 Rockwell)
  • Resistant to 6 hours of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia exposure
• Bright nickel bath: Hard and bright deposit
  • Meets AMS-QQ-N-290 requirements
• Semi-bright bath: Improved corrosion protection
• Watts bath: Mainly used as an undercoat

Applications for electrolytic nickel:

• Most widely used types of plating for corrosion and engineering applications
• Major usage in automotive, electrical, appliance, hardware, and medical industries
• Undercoat for chromium plating
• RF/EMF shielding when used with copper

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