Electroless Nickel Plating

Electroless Nickel Services at AFT

What is Electroless Nickel Plating?

Electroless Nickel, or "E-Nickel" 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.

E-Nickel, or enp coating, provides a hard, corrosion, abrasion, and wear-resistant surface to protect machined components in many industrial environments, such as:

Oil and Gas: Valve components (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 uses Enthone Chemical, ENfinity Plus, a High Phosphorus Nickel System. 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.

 

What are the advantages of Electroless Nickel Plating?

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

AFT's Electroless Nickel Capabilities

3 Production 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 Plating Lines

  • 4 plating tanks (total 1000 gallons)
  • Can apply to aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, and steel
  • Post bake operation - build-up capacities .003 thick

AFT's 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
  • Blast Room
  • Phosphorus Production Line
  • High-Temperature Oven
  • In-House Laboratory
  • Thickness Measuring Capabilities
  • X-Ray
  • Eddy Current
  • Magnetic

 

 

AFT's Electroless Nickel Company Approvals

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

 Specifications

  • MIL - C - 26074
  • AMS - 2404
  • AMS - 2405
  • ASTM - B - 733
  • ISO - 4527
  • AFT will meet or exceed most private specifications and standards

Please Contact Us or call 877-844-8595 for more information on AFT's electroless nickel plating process. To compound your savings on electroless nickel plated fasteners, trust us to be your one stop shop for both fasteners and the high-quality plating processes you need. 

Click to view and print AFT's Electroless Nickel Plating Brochure

AFT's Electroless Nickel Plating Brochure PDF