Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Electroless Nickel compatibility for aluminum components

 

I have a component which will be in continuous contact with DI water and potentially in contact with a brine solution. I would like to make this component from 6061-T6 Al and plate it with electroless nickel. I am having a hard time confirming EN is compatible with these specific liquids. Can anyone send me information about EN chemical compatibility?

Thanks in advance,

Lansing Stout
- Corvallis, Oregon,

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Electroless nickel is used for large ball valves, and for down-hole surfaces in drilling equipment immersed in brine and sour waters. Sounds to me like a good fit. Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey   Not a fair question as stated. Generally, Yes. Thickness has a very significant bearing on how well it works. High P and boron EN are generally more corrosion resistant for a given thickness. I assume that you are going to contract out the EN. I would find out who's EN they use and which bath it is and contact the EN manufacturer for their guidance as to how good it will work, recommended thickness and possible better formulations. All EN is not the same any more than a Lamborghini is the same as a Yugo. James Watts - Navarre, Florida

I have used electroless nickel plating on 6061-T6 Aluminum for ocean applications. It is worse than no coating at all. The pitting appeared to be as deep as the electroless nickel coating. Pitting with the plain 6061-T6 was much less.

James Knight
- Merrimack, New Hampshire
May 21, 2009

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Hi, James. EN is extremely cathodic to aluminum. If the coating is porous or breached, it can be a disaster. But electroless nickel is very corrosion resistant and, if done right and the coating is undamaged, so that no aluminum is exposed, it is highly protective.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 21, 2009