What Is Electroless Nickel Plating?

ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATING is used to deposit nickel without the use of an electric current. The coating is deposited by an autocatalytic chemical reduction of nickel ions by hypophosphite, aminoborane, or borohydride compounds.

Electroless nickel is an engineering coating, normally used because of excellent corrosion and wear resistance. Electroless nickel coatings are also frequently applied on aluminum to provide a solderable surface and are used with molds and dies to improve lubricity and part release. Because of these properties, electroless nickel coatings have found many applications, including those in petroleum, chemicals, plastics, optics, printing, mining, aerospace, nuclear, automotive, electronics, computers, textiles, paper, and food machinery.