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ELECTROLESS NICKEL BATH REGENERATION

I'm a plater from Chicago and was wondering about a process to re-generate a spent bath of EN. If anyone knows anyone out there that offers these services please let me know.

Sagar P
Plater - Chicago, Illinois, USA
2007

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One such process I've heard of employs magnesium hypophosphite (soluble in water) to both replenish reducing power and precipitate phosphites and phosphates as their sparingly soluble magnesium salts. Although I've read a lot about this, I've never seen it used in a working facility.

Magnesium hypophosphite is commercially available.

Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York
2007

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Just to add to Mr. Winchern's comment, some four or five years ago I read about a reserch in Japan that intended to use nickel hypophosphite. But also nothing else has come to my attention since.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2007

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Second of two simultaneous responses -- 2007

Probably best to contact the EN supplier.

letter 46425 may be helpful. Also, try searching for patents citing the 1959 one mentioned therein. E.g., 'Method of treating electroless nickel plating bath,' US Patent 4038085 (1977) using sodium fluoride looks interesting. Do 5-gallon bucket testing before investing much in chemistry or equipment.

Let us know the results.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.