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Electrolytic Nickel Plating

Electrolytic Nickel Plating Services for Advanced Manufacturers

With a myriad of functional and decorative applications, Nickel is the most widely used electroplated coating. Nickel can be deposited soft or hard, dull or bright, depending on the process used and the conditions employed when plating.

Nickel offers a wide range of final surface finishing options, with a color ranging from almost white light gray to a condition resembling stainless steel. Further, Electrolytic Nickel’s appearance can be dull matte, satin or bright and shiny, providing many options for designers looking to combine form and function in creative ways.

NQA_ISO13485 NQA_AS9100_CMYK_UK NQA_ISO9001_CMYK ANAB Itar Compliant Logo (blue, circular) Nadcap
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Special Note

  • All Steel parts having a hardness of RC40 or greater require a post bake at 375°F ± 25°F for 3 hours
  • All Steel parts having a tensile strength of 220,000 or greater shall not be nickel plated without specific approval of procuring agency
  • For corrosion protection Nickel plating shall be applied to an underplating of copper or yellow brass on zinc and zinc-based alloys. In no case shall the copper underplate be substituted for any part of the specified nickel thickness

Frequently Asked Questions

Electrolytic Nickel Plating Benefits

  • Corrosion protection
  • Magnetic
  • Excellent hardness / wear resistance
  • Ranges from 150-500 Vickers
  • Low coefficient of thermal expansion
  • Ductility
  • High formability
  • Solderable
  • Brazable
  • Weldable
  • Appropriate for high temperature applications
  • Customizable final aesthetic appearance
  • Can function as an underplate or as a final plating option

For functional purposes, in heavy deposits, Nickel will smooth out a base metal and offer significant corrosion protection. Pure, un-brightened nickel is often used as a barrier coat for subsequent plated finishes.

In addition, Nickel is used for engineering purposes where brightness is not a concern. Sulfamate Nickel produces a 99.9% pure nickel deposit that is minimally stressed making it an excellent choice for parts that will be flexed, bent or crimped. It is the recommended choice as an under-plate for lead-frames, interconnect pins, and glass-to-metal or ceramic-to-metal seals.

Often used in the automotive, electrical, appliance and hardware industries, one of the most important functions of Bright Nickel is serving as an undercoat for Chrome surface plating.

Electrolytic Nickel Plating Applications & Industries

  • Electronics
  • Defense
  • Aerospace
  • Medical
  • Telecommunications
  • Optical
  • Power Distribution

Electrolytic Nickel Properties

  • Coating Thickness:
    • .0002 to .0016 inches
  • Aesthetic Appearance:
    • Similar to stainless steel or can be a dull gray or light gray, almost white color
  • Melting Point:
    • 2561°F (1455°C)

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
  • Electroless Nickel
  • Yellow brass on zinc and zinc-based alloys

Pre-Treatments Available

  • Mechanical Cleaning
  • Custom Masking
  • Chemical Films

Post-Treatments Available

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

EN Types & Grades

  • Type I “Dull”
  • Type II “Brightened”
.

Electrolytic Nickel Plating Specs & Certifications

  • ASTM B689 --- ROHS Compliant
  • AMS 2403 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • AMS 2423 --- ROHS Compliant
  • AMS 2424 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • QQ-N-290 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • AMS-QQ-N-290 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • FED-QQ-N-290 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • AMS-P-27418 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • MIL-P-27418 --- NADCAP Approved, ROHS Compliant
  • Various company specifications
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