There are many different types of coatings and platings that multiple industrial manufacturers can choose from. Of course, a decision on what coating to use does depend on the material that you are using in the first place. You would have to consider what type of coating is best to protect the material you are covering and what it needs to prevent any wear from.
One coating that can be highly effective is electroless nickel plating. There are four types of this coating that you can choose from too to ensure you have the most suitable covering for your material. Companies such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments/electroless-nickel-plating/ can offer different options for specific suitability.
But first, what exactly is it and why should you consider it? We take a look.
What is it?
Using chemical methods and mixtures, this nickel plating forms a smooth coating on the exterior of a material. It is a solid, silver coloured covering that comprises of nickel blended with phosphorus.
What’s the process?
According to https://nickelinstitute.org/media/1769/propertiesandapplicationsofelectrolessnickel_10081_.pdf the plating is a process for placing a nickel blend from wet solutions onto a substrate minus the use of electric current.
The best way to ensure that your nickel plating will be smoothly applied is to guarantee that the materials or parts you are coating are thoroughly cleaned. This is part of the pre-treatment within the coating process. The exterior is then readied for plating by going through a variety of preparation tanks, which supports the surface of the material to activate. As a result, this helps for better plating grip.
After activating the surface, the parts are then put into the plating tank. This is where the plating lets the residue of the nickel and phosphorus to thicken on the exterior of the parts. Depending on the length of time spent in the tank and the functioning temperature, the thickness will vary.
What are the advantages?
There are a number of pros when using this type of nickel plating. These include:
• Provides high prevention to wear and corrosion.
• Surface texture is resilient and lasts a long time.
• It can be used for a broad array of materials, regardless of if their conductivity.
• The result leaves materials or parts visually appealing.
• You have the capability to regulate plating thickness.
Will you choose this type of plating?
It’s safe to say that with its solid and preventative properties, this type of nickel plating is a great way to cover and protect many materials, extending their use and life overall. And for this reason, many engineers and technologists around the world opt for this process to achieve an aesthetically pleasing and durable finish for many parts of machinery, products and specific materials.
With that in mind, it’s even clearer to see and understand why this plating process is chosen on a regular basis in the engineering industry and beyond.
About2ZF77
