NiTEC UK marine enp

t.0845 224 3571

Marine electroless nickel plating for the marine environment and all sectors with harsh environments can reduce their cost of repair and replacement parts - including savings on downtime.

As the deposit formed by electroless nickel plating is based on a chemical reaction, the action to form the deposit is equal over all the component, regardless of its shape. The deposit formed is therefore of equal thickness over the whole component.

The uniformity of the coating obtained from electroless nickel plating, makes it highly suitable for use on engineering components because the machined tolerances of a component are not altered by the plating process. The uniformity of the coating and the fact that it is a chemical reaction, give the electroless nickel deposit a number of advantages in many applications.

Corrosion prevention

Electroless nickel deposits have excellent corrosion prevention. The deposit exhibits electro-negative or 'noble' behaviour with respect to the corrosion protection mechanism and therefore relies on total encapsulation of the substrate to be effective. As the deposit is a uniform coating, provided the substrate is of good condition and has been properly prepared, long term corrosion resistance can be achieved in many different environments.

The chemical reaction that forms the deposit results in a deposit that is not pure nickel, but an alloy of nickel and phosphorus.

Variation in the level of phosphorus can be controlled and therefore results in a number of deposit types.

The chemical formation of the deposit and the alloying element, also affect the deposit structure, further altering the deposit properties. The 'as plated' deposit has an amorphous structure, but if high temperatures are applied, the deposit becomes crystalline. This can alter the deposit hardness. Generally, the higher the phosphorus content, the lower the as deposited hardness.

Wear resistance

Wear resistance is usually a secondary requirement, after corrosion prevention.

Where there is a requirement for hardness and wear resistance, this can be achieved with heat treatment.

Unlike hard chrome, which tends to soften with heating, all types of electroless nickel plating can be heat treated to increase the hardness, making the deposit hardness comparable to that of hard chrome.

NiTEC UK Ltd

Telephone: 0845 224 3571 Fax: 01246 859300 Email: web@nitec-enp.co.uk