Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP)

Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP)

Accurate Edge offers ENP plating for engineering applications, including electrical conductivity. When used, electroless nickel plating is the deposition of a nickel-phosphorous alloy onto a metal substrate without the use of an electrical current. The electroless nickel plating process utilizes an autocatalytic chemical reaction to deposit a reliable, repeatable coating of uniform thickness. This uniformity of deposit can, in some cases, eliminate the need for post-plate grinding. Electroless nickel demonstrates excellent corrosion protection, with similar lubricity properties to plated chromium. Electroless nickel effectively coats parts with sharp edges, deep recesses, seams, threads, and complex geometries. Accurate Edge offers varying alloys of nickel and phosphorous, including:

• High Phosphorus (10% to 13%): superior corrosion protection; most resistant to acidic environments; greater than 65 Rc hardness with post-plate thermal treatment
• Medium Phosphorus (5% to 9%): best appearance
• Low Phosphorus (<5%): highest as-plated surface hardness (up to 60 Rc); most resistant to alkaline environments; best solderability

Electroless nickel can also be rendered non-magnetic, making it the optimal choice for electromagnetic shielding. Electroless nickel can be applied over a variety of substrates including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and many proprietary alloys.

ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATING CAPABILITIES:

• Plating thicknesses from 0.0001 to 0.0050 inches
• Precision masking for selective surface plating
• Salt spray corrosion testing per ASTM B 117
• Post-plate hydrogen embrittlement relief
• Hardness up to 70Rc (high phosphorous with post-plate bake)
• XRF thickness analysis

APPLICABLE SPECIFICATIONS:

• MIL-C-26074 MIL-STD-171 (1.4.3) AMS 2404
• MIL-F-14072 (M265) ASTM B733 ASTM B656
• AMS 2405 ISO 4527