Electroless nickel plating is a type of alloy treatment that makes plastics and metals harder and more resistant to wear and tear. A simpler alternative to traditional electroplating, it does not require an electric current to pass through the chemical solution to create the reaction. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to protect your materials, here’s what you should know about electroless nickel plating.

What You Should Know About Electroless Nickel Plating 

What Is It?

Electroless nickel plating (ENP) deposits a nickel-alloy coating by reducing nickel ions to metallic nickel with a chemical reducing agent. The process consists of the following steps:

• Cleaning: Before a material can be plated, it must be thoroughly cleaned to remove greases and oils. 
• Activation: Next, the material is activated with a proprietary solution or acid etch, allowing it to receive the nickel-phosphorous. 
• Rendering: Finally, nickel-phosphorous is deposited onto the surface, rendering it more resistant to friction and corrosion. 

What Are the Benefits? 

Traditional electroplating requires an externally applied direct current that usually produces a non-uniform deposition with an excess deposit on the edges of the material. However, because electroless nickel plating uses a chemical reducing agent in the solution instead of an electric current, it produces a nearly uniform deposition. This uniformity ensures that the material is well-protected. Unlike traditional electroplating, ENP uses phosphorous, which increases corrosion resistance to saltwater, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, and other common corrodents. The process also provides harder as-plated deposits, which you can further harden with heat treatment, and the non-stick nickel coating prevents friction. 

If you’re interested in efficient, cost-effective plating, turn to LWG Finishing in Fairfield, OH. Serving Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana for more than 60 years, this family-owned company offers a wide variety of services including electroless nickel plating, hard chrome plating, sandblasting and grinding, hydraulic shafting and repair, and cylinder repair. Working with the construction, industrial, mining, and automotive industries, their team is committed to providing service you can depend on. Learn more about their offerings online, and call (513) 860-1156 today to schedule a consultation.