Nickel plating is a catch-all term that describes the process of immersing a substrate material in a bath to coat it with a thin sacrificial layer of metal designed to protect the underlying product against the effects of wear and corrosion. There are several different ways of performing nickel plating, including:
1. Electrolytic nickel plating.
This process passes an electric current through an acid bath in which the substrate is immersed, with the resulting chemical reaction applying a nickel coating onto the surface of the treated material. Due to the health and safety risks associated with this process, it should only be carried out by trained professionals.
2. Electroless nickel plating.
This process does not use electricity to impart protective qualities. Instead, the substrate is immersed in a chemical solution that causes nickel ions to adhere to the surface of the substrate, coating it evenly with a highly durable protective layer.
3. Zinc nickel plating.
This process, performed by companies such as www.swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/zinc-nickel-alloy-plating/, uses a chemical bath to apply a thick, durable zinc nickel layer to the substrate material. The protective layer is incredibly resistant to wear, friction and corrosion, meaning it lasts longer and requires less maintenance.
4. Diffuse nickel-cadmium plating.
This is a complex process in which the substrate is immersed in a chemical bath to apply a layer of nickel, then a second chemical bath in which a layer of cadmium is applied. Following this, it is then oven-baked at a high temperature to diffuse the cadmium layer into the nickel, forming an incredibly tough protective coating.
