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Electroless Nickel plating Versus Nickel Electroplating - Corrosion and Wear Resistance [Minnesota] 

November 20, 2006

Hello,

I work in the fluid controls business where a lot of electroless nickel is used for corrosion and wear protection. One of our providers of nickel plating has asked if we would consider the electroplating process versus the electroless nickel plating process. By switching to electroplated nickel, will we obtain the same or better corrosion and wear resistance properties as electroless nickel?

Thanks!

Craig Matthew Geyer
Water Controls - Sartell, Minnesota

Most surely you will obtain less corrosion resistance (only under very peculiar situations is electronickel more resistant than electroless nickel), also more wear (electronickel is softer). But above all, you´ll get non-uniform coverage or thickness which in turn may affect your tight tolerances after plating or leave exposed areas.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico