nikkelgecoat

Nikkelgecoat, or nickel coating, is a metal surface finish applied to a range of substrates by electroplating or electroless deposition to improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance, solderability, and appearance.

Electroplating uses an external electric current to deposit nickel from a nickel salt bath onto conductive substrates, typically in Watts-type baths. Electroless nickel plating deposits a nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) or nickel-boron (Ni-B) layer without electrical current, providing a uniform coating on complex shapes.

Decorative finishes such as bright nickel provide a shiny appearance, while satin or matte nickel yields a subdued look. The phosphorus content in electroless Ni-P coatings influences hardness and corrosion resistance; typical Ni-P compositions range from low to high phosphorus, which affects brittleness and wear behavior.

Typical coating thickness ranges are 5–25 micrometers for decorative work and 25–100 micrometers for functional wear resistance. Bright nickel is relatively ductile, whereas high-phosphorus Ni-P coatings become hard after heat treatment, achieving higher hardness values than electroplated nickel.

Common substrates include steel, cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and its alloys. Applications span automotive components, fasteners, gears and bearings, hydraulic components, electronics connectors, and jewelry. Nickel coatings can also improve solderability and act as a diffusion barrier.

Advantages include improved corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and the ability to coat complex geometries evenly. Disadvantages include cost, potential nickel sensitivity in some users, and environmental or waste-management requirements associated with nickel plating baths.