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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Electroless nickel treatment

I am doing a pilot study to attempt treating electroless nickel using the 00 steel wool [on eBay or Amazon] method. Based on previous comments, I raised the pH of the electroless nickel solution with ammonia [on eBay or Amazon] to 9.0. I put in some steel wool and nothing happened. I added sodium hypophoshite to help reduce the nickel with no luck.

Does somebody in the plating business have a suggestion as to what I may be doing wrong?

Jim Sullivan
metals recovery - USA
2005

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Try heating it with the 00 steel wool [on eBay or Amazon].

Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York
2005

Lack of activity (almost zero plating speed) is typical of spent EN baths. Trying to make them go crazy and plate out their nickel is like trying to run the Derby with an elderly and sick horse. Bunches of vitamins, even steroids and hardly walks to the finish line. Save your hypo for a bath that still makes money.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2005