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Nickel Black plating using pH 8-9 Nickel plating bath

February 10, 2013

Q. Hi guys,

I am a graduate student from MSU, and I have some questions related to Nickel plating on Stainless Steel 304 mesh.

I am trying to plating nickel onto stainless steel mesh using a basic nickel chloride bath described in scientific literature:

NiCl2 6H2O: 213g/l
NH4Cl 30g/l
NH4OH 200ml/l
pH ~8-9
Current density: 60 mA cm-2
Room Temperature

This bath is employed to plate layers of nickel onto stainless steel and co-trap a suspended metallic powder (Ni-Al Alloy). I had some success in the past but noticed the bath only works sometimes, or after prolong electrolysis/plating. When I say success, I mean nickel black "powdery" looking surface with the Ni-Al powder trapped in the matrix of the plated nickel. During the failure times, I get a dull silvery looking surface, and the suspended powders are not trapped. Can anyone explain the situation and possibly offer me some suggestions? Thanks a tonne!

Have a pleasant day :D

-Jason

Jason Lam
Graduate Student - East Lansing, Michigan

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