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How to mix PTFE into an EN plating bath

Q. Hello,

we have some PTFE that we try to mix in our EN bath, but the PTFE just floats on top of the bath. how should we mix the PTFE? should we add some chemicals to the bath?
thanks!

Gilbert Gosiaco
plating shop employee - Philippines
2007

A. Personally, I think you should buy (or license) a process for teflon impregnated electroless nickel, Gilbert. I think it's a long road from EN to teflon impregnated EN, but we'll see what others say. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September , 2007

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A. For the quote "impregnated" material, you need to go to a proprietary material to avoid the problems that you are having. They did a lot of research to come up with a way to make it neither float or sink. James Watts - Navarre, Florida 2007 A. I think Ted is right. There are a number of patents in the field that have been vigorously defended. Even if you were to formulate your own bath you might be in violation and open to a law suit. Gene Packman process supplier - Great Neck, New York 2007

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Q. Does anyone have experience in setting up Teflon EN? We are using chemicals supplied by our regular EN supplier. Like most typical EN tanks, the Nickel and Hypophosphite components are mixed together, then once we get the bath up to operating temp, we add the Teflon that comes separate to the bath after shaking it vigorously. We are only using a 60-gallon tank, so it's rather small compared to our regular 160 and 310 gallon EN tanks. Tank runs at 185 °F per the TDS with a pH of 5. Solution is technically a High Phos EN with PTFE added.

My main questions concern filtration or solution flow. What is the recommended practice where EN Teflon tanks are concerned. We've been having trouble getting gas streaks on 1144 steel, where we are not experiencing the same with Brass or Stainless parts. Was wondering if maybe the steel is gassing more, which is causing the streaking and if better solution flow could help?

Thomas Swan
- Portland, Oregon USA
March 29, 2019