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Electroless Nickel Information

 

In the directions for making a generic Electroless Nickel bath, it said to add 1% of lactic acid to the nickel sulphate for pH control and so the nickel doesn't turn to nickel hydroxide. I went to order the lactic acid and there were many different types. What type should I order ?

Dennis Reidy
- Lawrence, Massachusetts

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Dennis,

To make your home brew formulae, you should get yourself good books like Metal Finishing Guidebook, or ASM Metals Handbook, Cleaning, Finishing and Coating volume. But if you let me, I would like to recommend you to call Surface Technology [Trenton, NJ] for economical alternatives before involving in what seems to be a totally unknown territory for you. They are not so far away from you.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
 

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I would suggest you take Guillermo's advise to heart. Don't go down the "home brew" path if you're new to the "electroless nickel" world. There are dozens of proprietary suppliers, mostly based in New England, and all their baths are proven, economical, and work just like the data sheet says. You're question about "which lactic acid?" is one very few EN platers would know the answer to.

Milt Stevenson, Jr.
Syracuse, New York