If your goal is to simply metal plate your parts or product for corrosion resistance, electroless plating is a good choice. It may not look as pretty as electroplating, but it can provide superior corrosion resistance. This is because the electroless process produces a less porous and much harder finish. It also produces a very uniform thickness on the parts.
Electroless plating is very popular for industrial parts that will see a lot of wear, tear, and corrosion, such as marine, auto, and oil field machinery. For example, pumps and valves used in these locations often come into contact with corrosive agents. High-wear parts with complicated shapes that require uniform plating are ideal candidates for this method.
To metal plate an object without electricity, the object is placed in a chemical solution with either nickel sulfate or nickel chloride. Over a course of hours or days, the nickel deposits onto the object, forming a metal coating. Once the desired thickness is achieved, the object is removed from the plating solution. The exact formulas for the electroless solution tend to be proprietary for each shop.
Electroless nickel plated parts are typically matte silver, but the latest technologies allow for a matte black finish. This finish is achieved by adding phosphorus to the solution. Not only does the addition of phosphorus create an attractive, black finish, but it also enhances the part’s corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the black electroless plating is conductive and can be soldered, making it ideal for electronics, grounding, and shielding applications.
