E-Nickel Process

Electroless Nickel Plating

Electroless Nickel Plating is an autocatalytic plating process that results in a reflective layer of nickel phosphorus. "E-Nickel" is chemically deposited, therefore the coating is uniform in thickness, making post machining unnecessary when dimensions are accurate.

Electroless nickel plating provides a hard, corrosion, abrasion, and wear-resistant surface to protect machined components in many industrial environments:

Oil and Gas: Valve Components such as balls, gates, and plugs
Automation Equipment: Wear resistance rollers and sorting equipment
Automotive: Heat sinks, shock absorbers, gears, cylinder, and break pistons
Plastics: Molds and dies for injecting and "low and blow" molding of plastics components, extruders and machine parts rollers

AFT runs a High Phosphorus Nickel System by Enthone Chemical, ENfinity Plus. To ensure optimal plating chemistry, an Automated Chemical Feed System, Steady State, is used to keep the nickel bath running 100% concentration at all times. By using this system, each part is plated with compressive nickel deposit, producing a consistent plating rate, and shorter lead times, by reducing down-time due to chemistry issues.

Electroless Nickel (E-Nickel)Steady State Machine provides accurate chemistry levels, producing a better finished product.

Electroless Nickel ENfinity Plus Steady State System. High-quality industrial plating and coating.

Enthone Chemical, ENfinity Plus

Electroless Nickel (E-Nickel) Metal Plating Industrial Parts ENfinity Plus Steady State

ADVANTAGES OF E-NICKEL

Uniform plating with no edge build up
Excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance
Excellent natural surface lubricity
Ideal for tight tolerance work

E- NICKEL CAPABILITIES

3 Production Electroless Nickel Plating Lines:

Main Line - 2 Plating Tanks

4 ft wide x 4 ft deep x 8 ft length (800 gallons)

3 ft wide x 4 ft deep x 8 ft length (440 gallons)

Able to run pipes, parts and tools up to 9.5 ft in length

Hoist can support 2.5 tons

Small Parts Production - 2 Electroless Nickel Plating Lines

4 plating tanks (total 1000 gallons)

AFT can apply electroless nickel plating to aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, and steel.

Post bake operation - build-up capacities .003 thick

SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT

Ovens - 2 Large High-Temperature Ovens - Up to 850 degrees (F)
Blast - Walk-in Blast Room (20 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft) for large items, Blast cabinet for smaller items
Masking Department - Experienced in extensive masking, ID pipe and complex shapes, where selective nickel is required

AFT's Blast Room

Blast Room

AFT's Phosphate Line

Phosphorus Production Line

AFT's Oven

High-Temperature Oven

AFT'S IN-HOUSE LABORATORY

X-Ray
Thickness Measuring Capabilities
Eddy Current
Magnetic

COMPANY APPROVALS

Halliburton - ESC 153 1-3
Halliburton - 70.83673
Flowserve Corp.
Weir SPM

ELECTROLESS NICKEL SPECS

Download PDF Brochure of

AFT's Electroless Nickel Plating Process

Property:	Typical Value:
Density	8.3 g/cm³
Phosphorous Content	10 - 12%
Hardness (as plated)	41 - 46 RCH
Hardness (heat treated @750F for 1 hr)	61 - 66 RCH
Water Resistance	12 - 18 *TWI
Water Resistance (heat treated)	8 - 12 *TWI
Magnetic Tendancy	Non-Magnetic
Nitric Acid Test	Pass
Melting Point	1620 F
	*TWI = Tabor Wear Index is the weight loss in mg per 1000 ycles against CS10 wheels

• MIL - C - 26074

• AMS - 2404

• AMS - 2405

• ASTM - B - 733

• ISO - 4527

• X-Ray thickness measurement available

• AFT will meet or exceed most private specifications and standards

Please submit a Request for Quote form or contact us at 972-988-1999 with any questions on our Electroless Nickel Plating Process.

Electroless Nickel Plated Parts at AFT