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Reworking electroless nickel plating

Can this process be reworked if the plating is not satisfactory?

Albert J. Mendoza
Aerospace - Riverside, California, USA
2006

Ed. note: As asked, the answer is yes, Albert. But your question is too vague for you to be able to rely on that answer for a specific case. Please describe your situation and get a more specific answer. Thanks!

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First of two simultaneous responses --

You will have to tell us a little more about what you are trying to plate. ENP like any other coating can be removed and replated if the outcome is not satisfactory the first time.

There are various processes to remove the ENP, however, the base material information is very important.

Rajeev Daswani
metal - Dubai, UAE
2006

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Yes you can rework the plating if the job is not satisfactory and/or peel off occurring..

But it depends only on the base material on which you have electroless nickel plated, as in some cases stripping (reworking) is not possible as the surface gets etched.

DIVYA SIDDHARTH
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2006

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2006

As the others have stated above, Yes e-less nickel can be stripped off of parts but depending on the base material..

I strip Mid-Phos & High-Phos Electroless Nickel, Sulfamate Nickel, and also Copper and Silver plating off most Aluminum and stainless steels alloys in a 50% nitric acid / DI water strip at room temp... (Note: high-phos nickel will take longer, and the newer the acid the better.. you must pay attention to the pieces, because you can etch the base surface if your not careful, like opening up pores in aluminum alloys that can cause you many problems later on.)

However, If your base material is copper, and you don't have an appropriate barrier plating completely covering the copper base before nickel plate, do not use a 50% nitric strip as you will destroy your parts.. you should look at some of the proprietary strip products available.

Adam Drew
- Brooklyn, New York

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See my previous letter 39561, same subject. MIL-C-26074 [on DLA], Cl1 Gr B coating thickness of .0005-.0007 on QQ-B-626, comp 360 half hard brass red/copper. If the parts have not been properly cleaned and require rework due to "fish eye" effects after the plating process can this be reworked by "flash" coating the electroless nickel? The subject areas are critical bores of .250 and .440 diameters.

Albert J. Mendoza
Aerospace - Riverside, California USA
2006

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Hi, Albert.

For one person's opinion: No, unsatisfactory plating must be stripped and replated, not flashed over. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 2011