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Electroless nickel thermal conductivity

 

I am looking at coating a cast iron part which has a thermal conductivity of approx. 50 W/m-K with medium phosphorus electroless nickel(.0005" thick). All data I can find rate the EN at around 5 W/m-K. A moderate to high amount of heat will be introduced into the part through a section of the part where the coating will be scrubbed off.

Questions:

1. Will the EN prevent the cast iron part from dissipating heat (heat dissipation on this part is very important)?
2. Shouldn't a metal coating have a higher thermal conductivity than 5 W/m-K?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Randy Redd
- Cumming, Georgia, USA

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As you may know, diamond is an outstanding conductor of heat. Test and patents have demonstrated that when diamond particles are included in composite electroless nickel coatings, the coating provide an increase in heat transfer of about 20%. Perhaps this can be done to achieve your requirements.

Best regards,

Michael Feldstein
- Trenton, New Jersey

Randy,

I agree with Michaels in theory, but I wonder if you are comparing apples with apples. How does the 0.0005" thick EN coating compare with the thickness of you cast iron walls? This could give you a good idea if plain EN will be good enough.

Good luck and take care Mike,

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico

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