Electroless nickel
Electroless nickel is an autocatalytic deposit made up of nickel and phosphorus (Kanigen®: 9 to 12 wt%). It is applied using a chemical process (electroless) by immersion in an aqueous environment, thereby providing new mechanical and chemical properties.
The deposited layer is absolutely uniform and can be applied very precisely, without any edge effects.
Protection Against Corrosion
The P content of >8.5 wt% gives the Kanigen® electroless nickel layer its amorphous structure and excellent resistance to corrosion. Different results can be achieved depending on the layer thickness.
Anti-Static Applications
This anti-static property is valued, for example, in frames and mechanical parts in the production of semiconductors.
Amorphous
This amorphous character makes electroless nickel plating particularly suitable for vacuum applications.
Reduced Friction
Electroless nickel greatly reduces adhesive wear and is also used to avoid cold welds.
In contrast to electrolytic processes, the Kanigen® chemical process allows us to apply a completely uniform layer to your parts or equipment. These layers can be applied in a very precise manner, without any edge effects.
It is particularly suitable for making complex parts with variable geometries. It does not require finishing following surface treatment, all within the specified tolerance.
Variants
Kanigen Group also offers variants of the Kanigen® process by adapting:
Phosphorus levels:
- Kanigen® layer (9-12 wt% P)*
- Low-phosphorus layers (1-3 wt% P)
- Non-magnetic high-phosphorus layers (>10.5 wt% P)
- ...
Heat treatment:
- Hard electroless nickel
- Diffused electroless nickel
The composition:
- Electroless nickel with PTFE (duplex dispersion layer)
- Matt black electroless nickel (duplex layer)
(*) wt% P = phosphorus levels in weight percentage
Corrosion Resistance
The quality of Kanigen® electroless nickel plating comes from its phosphorus content (>8.5 wt% P), which renders the raw X-Ray layer amorphous, thereby providing excellent corrosion resistance.
Excellent results can be achieved by increasing the layer's level of thickness.
Corrosion resistance according to the ISO 9227 ‘neutral salt spray test’:
| Limited resistance | 2 μm to 10 μm | 12 hours |
| Medium resistance | 10 μm to 25 μm | 192 hours |
| High resistance | 25 μm to 50 μm | 480 hours |
| Very high resistance | > 50 μm | 960 hours |
Technical Properties
| Melting point | 890°C |
| Expansion coefficient | 13 x 10-6 cm / cm °C |
| Thermal conductivity | (10.5 wt% P) = 0.016 cal.cm-1s-1grad-1 |
| Electrical resistance | 50 to 60 μΩcm |
| Contact resistance | 30 mΩ |
| Magnetisability (9 wt% P) | 4% |
| Ductility | 2,2% to 6% |
| Hardness as deposited | 530 HV0,1 |
International Standards
These treatments are carried out according to the European standard ISO 4527 (replacing the German DIN 50966, Japanese JIS H8645 and French AFNOR NF A91-105) or the American standard ASTM B733.
AMS standard 2404 (replacing AMS-C-26074 and Mil-C-26074E) can equally be applied in an aeronautical or military context.
Other standards can be followed on request.
Treated Materials
The electroless nickel plating process makes it possible to treat a broad spectrum of materials used within the industry. Kanigen Group primarily treats carbon, alloyed and stainless steels, cast iron, aluminium and copper alloys, etc., along with other more special materials such as silver (Ag), INVAR, 17-4PH, etc.
In recent years, we have specialised in the processing of all grades of aluminium, including not only the 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 series, but also die-cast and injected aluminium, with the exception of ZAMAK alloys.
Treatments are carried out in barrels, rack-plated or with dedicated fixtures. If appropriately designed and prepared, welded parts can also be treated.
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