As a widely used surface treatment technology, electroless nickel plating is very popular in many industrial fields due to its good performance. However, the process of electroless nickel plating may also produce some defects that can affect the quality of the coating and its performance. Understanding these defects is essential to ensure the performance of the final product.
Common electroless nickel plating defects include:
1. High porosity: Electroless nickel plating may contain micropores that form in the plating resulting in incomplete shielding, increasing the porosity of the plating and reducing its corrosion resistance. Causes of porosity may include particulate contamination in the plating solution, air bubbles trapped in the layer, or gas generation during deposition.
2. Internal stresses: Electroless nickel plating can produce high internal stresses, which can lead to cracking or stripping of the plating if not handled properly. Internal stresses are caused by a variety of factors, such as solution composition, plating deposition rate, temperature fluctuations and so on.
3. Uneven Deposition: Although electroless nickel plating is known for its uniform plating, in some cases, such as improper agitation, unbalanced solution ratios, or incorrect suspension of the workpiece, this can lead to uneven thickness of the plated layer.
4. Brittle plating: The correct choice of nickel source and additive package is essential to maintain the ductility of the plating. Otherwise, if excessive impurities, such as sulfur or other impurities, are present in the nickel plating, the plating may become brittle.
5. Excessive grain size: Controlling the grain size of electroless nickel plating is a critical step in ensuring its performance, and fine grains in the plating usually provide better strength and corrosion resistance. Grain size is often related to the pH, temperature or stabilizer concentration in the solution.
6. Discoloration of the plating: Discoloration may occur when the plating is exposed to certain environments, such as heat or contact with certain substances, and may be due to chemical reactions or physical changes.
To avoid these defects, process parameters need to be strictly controlled when using Bigely electroless nickel plating solutions. For example, maintaining the proper pH, temperature, stirring speed and freshness of the plating solution, ensuring a clean working environment and performing timely solution filtration. In addition, proper workpiece suspension and good process control are also indispensable.
If you are interested in electroless nickel plating solution, please feel free to contact us.
