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Electroless Nickel Plating

The primary use for Electroless Nickel is used for corrosion and wear resistance, hardness, solderability & as an under-plate for other metals, providing the desired uniformity for many applications. As the name suggests, Electroless Nickel deposition does not require rectifiers, anodes or electrical current.

Electroless nickel provides uniform buildup on materials with complex shapes/geometry and across all external and internal surfaces.

AOTCO offers Low-, Medium- and High-Phosphorous Electroless Nickel coatings along with ROHS compliant applications, including Black Nickel.

Low-Phosphorus Electroless Nickel can be used to replace Chrome Plating in many cases.

Medium-Phosphorus Electroless Nickel is the standard and most common type for most applications

High-Phosphorous Electroless Nickel can be used to obtain mirror finishes by machining or grinding back some of the coating.

Benefits

  • Excellent solderability
  • Corrosion protection
  • Excellent hardness / wear resistance
    • Rockwell hardness of 47-53; can be hardened up to 72 with a heat treatment
  • High uniformity of deposition, especially for complex parts
  • Useful for salvaging mis-machined parts

Select Applications / Industries

  • Electronics
  • Defense
  • Aerospace
  • Medical
  • Telecommunications
  • Optical

Physical Properties / Specs

  • Coating Thickness:
    • For Aluminum-based alloys: minimum of .001 inches
    • For Copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Titanium and Beryllium alloys: minimum of .0005 inches
    • For Iron-based alloys: minimum of .0015 inches
  • Aesthetic Appearance:
    • Similar to stainless steel

Substrates

  • Ferrous: All ferrous alloys including many Steel alloys
  • Cuprous: Pure Copper and all cuprous alloys including Copper Molybdenum, Copper Beryllium (BeCu), Copper Tellurium (TeCu), Brass & more
  • All Aluminum Alloys Including Wrought, Cast and Proprietary Alloys (MIC-6)
  • Exotics & Others: Inconel, Kovar, Monel, Tellurium, Magnesium, Nickel, Lead & more

Underplates

  • Copper
  • Electrolytic Nickel
  • Electroless Nickel
  • Silver
  • Tin
  • Lead

Pre-Treatments Available

  • Mechanical Cleaning
  • Custom Masking
  • Chemical Films

Post-Treatments Available

  • Laser Marking
  • Engraving
  • Chemical Films
  • Hydrogen Embrittlement Stress Relief

Types & Grades

  • Low-Phosphorus nickel (2% – 5% phosphorus)
  • Medium-Phosphorus nickel (6% – 9% phosphorus)
  • High-Phosphorus nickel (10% – 13% phosphorus)
  • Black nickel

Specs & Certifications

  • ASTM B733 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • AMS 2404
  • AMS 2405 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • AMS-C-26074 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • MIL-C-26074 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • Various company specifications

Contact Us

Depending on your end goals one of AOTCO’s Electroless Nickel processes could be an excellent option for your surface finishing needs. If you have a unique part, specialized needs or simply want to work with the best, please reach out and let us know how we can help you achieve the results you need.

If you need a finishing partner who will listen carefully and then Make it Happen for You, call AOTCO at 1 888 275 0880

Since 1975 AOTCO Metal Finishing LLC has delivered outstanding results for clients with the toughest requirements for metal finishing.

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