elektroless
Elektroless, also known as electroless, refers to a class of metallurgical coating processes in which metal deposition occurs on a substrate without an external electrical power source. The coating forms by autocatalytic redox reactions in an aqueous bath, where a reducing agent converts metal ions to metal directly on catalytic sites on the substrate.
Common electroless coatings include nickel-phosphorus, nickel-boron, copper, gold, and silver. Nickel-phosphorus is widely used for corrosion
Substrates are prepared and activated to create catalytic sites, then immersed in a bath containing metal ions
Applications include metallizing printed circuit boards, corrosion protection of steel, metallization of polymers and ceramics, and
Advantages include uniform coatings on difficult geometries and low energy use; drawbacks include slower deposition rates,
Electroless deposition was developed in the mid-20th century, with nickel-phosphorus systems becoming commercially important in the