Electroless plating properties
The aesthetic appearance of Niplate coatings
The NIPLATEĀ® 500, NIPLATEĀ® eXtreme, and NIPLATEĀ® 600 coatings have an appearance similar to that of stainless steel, with a shiny metallic appearance. The coatings do not level out imperfections in the base material and maintain the finish of the untreated workpiece. They also have a high resistance to oxidation and maintain color and shine for a considerable length of time.
Main Characteristics
- Tonality and Brightness: Reflecting light better than other metals, they increase the shine of the original surface finish.
- Resistance to Oxidation: High resistance to oxidation, maintaining the original color of the nickel layer.
- Maintaining the base material's finish: The coatings replicate the workpiece's pre-nickel plating surface finish. Sandblasting with corundum, shot peening with micro glass beads, or metal blasting can be used to even out and make the surface satin or matte.
Color Variations
Due to the presence of particles embedded in the deposited layer, the NIPLATEĀ® 500 PTFE and NIPLATEĀ® 600 SiC coatings have different colors:
- Niplate 500 PTFE: Anthracite gray.
- Niplate 600 SiC: Matte light gray.
Heat Treatments and Color Variations
Hardening heat treatments carried out after nickel plating can change the coating's color. The color variation depends on the treatment temperature:
- > 260Ā°C: Can create a yellow color.
- > 300Ā°C: Can create an iridescent yellow-blue color.
These color variations are due to the formation of a nanometric layer of oxide that, as a result of light interference, creates this coloring. For aesthetic purposes, the treatment can be conducted in a controlled atmosphere to avoid oxidation and consequent color variations, thus succeeding in hardening the treatment without altering its appearance.
PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
- NIPLATEĀ® coatings highlight, rather than hide, surface defects. As such, provide material free of imperfections such as scratches, porosity, rust, oxidation, burrs, dents, oil, or grease.
- For a uniform matte finish, treatments such as shot peening with micro glass beads, fine corundum, or metal shot blasting can be used.
- For aesthetic details, avoid coating hardening, which can alter the coloring.
- If increased hardness is required, heat treatment can be performed in an inert atmosphere, maintaining the electroless nickel plating's metallic white color.