Four advantages of electroless nickel plating

Electroless nickel plating is a coating method that uses chemicals and not electricity to add a protective layer of nickel on a surface. This process has several important benefits that make it a popular choice in many industries. Here are the four main advantages.

Better Protection Against Rust and Corrosion

This type of plating is excellent at preventing rust and corrosion and this is because of a special ingredient called phosphorus in the coating. The layer it creates has hardly any tiny holes and it spreads evenly across the surface, which makes it more protective than traditional nickel plating. Scientists can adjust how much phosphorus goes into the coating to help protect against different types of corrosive environments. This makes it useful for many different uses, such as the examples seen here: poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/electroless-nickel-plating/.

Stronger and More Durable

The electroless nickel coating is very tough and resistant to wear and tear. It goes on gently without putting any stress on the underlying material and it can be made even harder through adding heat if needed. The coating also makes surfaces smoother and easier to solder, which improves how well the coated parts work.

Saves Money

As this plating method doesn’t use electricity, it also costs less to apply. The process is more efficient than traditional methods because it needs less equipment and fewer layers of coating to get good results. This means that there are lower operating costs and less waste. The high-quality finish also means coated parts last longer and need less maintenance, which can save money.

Works on Many Shapes and Materials

Electroless nickel coating also works well on complicated or irregular shapes that are hard to coat using other methods. The coating can be applied to both metal and plastic surfaces because it can fill in small gaps and grooves. This makes it especially useful in electronics manufacturing, where it is often used to protect circuit boards or for oil and gas equipment like valves, pumps and drilling components. It can also be used in aircraft landing gear, hydraulic systems and brake components.