A method of plating a layer of nickel on a metal or some non-metals by electrolytic or chemical methods is called nickel plating. Nickel plating is divided into electroplated nickel and electroless nickel plating. Electroplated nickel is an electrolyte composed of a nickel salt (called a main salt), a conductive salt, a pH buffering agent, and a wetting agent. The anode is metallic nickel, and the cathode is a plated part. Direct current is applied to the cathode (plated part). A uniform, dense nickel coating is deposited.

Electroless plating, it can also be called autocatalytic plating. The specific process is: under certain conditions, the metal ions in the aqueous solution are reduced by the reducing agent and precipitated on the surface of the solid substrate.

Electroplating nickel

1.The stability of the electroplating nickel layer in the air is very high. Because metal nickel has a strong passivation ability, a very thin passivation film can be quickly formed on the surface, which can resist the corrosion of the atmosphere, alkali and some acids .

2. The electroplating nickel crystal is extremely fine and has excellent polishing performance. The polished nickel plating gives a mirror-like glossy appearance while maintaining its gloss in the atmosphere for a long time. Therefore, the plating layer is often used for decoration.

3. The hardness of nickel plating is relatively high, which can improve the wear resistance of the product surface. Nickel plating is commonly used in the printing industry to increase the hardness of the lead surface.

4. Nickel plating has a wide range of applications. It can be used as a protective decorative coating. On the surface of steel, zinc die-casting, aluminum alloy and copper alloy, it can protect the base material from corrosion or bright decoration. It is also often used as other coatings. The middle plating layer, which is then plated with a thin layer of chromium or a layer of imitation gold, has better corrosion resistance and a more beautiful appearance. In terms of functional applications, nickel plating on parts in special industries is about 1 ~ 3mm thick, which can achieve the purpose of repair. Especially in continuous casting molds, molds on the surface of electronic components, die-casting molds for alloys, aerospace engine parts with complex shapes, and the manufacture of microelectronic components, they are increasingly widely used.

Electroless nickel plating

1.Uniform thickness and good plating ability are a major feature of chemical nickel plating and one of the reasons for its wide application. Chemical nickel plating avoids uneven thickness of the electroplated layer due to uneven current distribution. In electroless plating, as long as the surface of the part is in contact with the plating solution, the components consumed in the plating solution can be replenished in time, and the thickness of the plating layer at the plating part is basically the same, even if the grooves, gaps and blind holes are the same.

2. The plated parts will not penetrate hydrogen, there is no hydrogen embrittlement, and no need to remove hydrogen after chemical nickel plating.

3. Many materials and parts have better functions such as corrosion resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance than nickel plating.

4.Can be deposited on the surface of various materials, such as steel nickel-based alloy, zinc-based alloy, aluminum alloy, glass, ceramic, plastic, semiconductor and other materials, thus creating conditions for improving the performance of these materials.

5. Low heat treatment temperature, different corrosion resistance and wear resistance can be obtained after different holding time below 400 ℃. Therefore, it is especially suitable for functional plating of parts with complex shapes and surfaces that require wear and corrosion resistance.