Nickel Plating in CNC Machining: A Complete Guide

Nickel plating has become quite famous in CNC machining for a huge range of products. Nickle plating not only enhances aesthetics but also increases the strength, hardness and durability of a part. It has a unique combination of high functionality and aesthetic appeal which attracts many manufacturers. In this article, we will explore the process, types, advantages of nickel plating, and applications of nickel plating parts.

What Is Nickel Plating?

Nickel plating is an electrochemical process that protects the part from corrosion, improves wear resistance and decorative appearance of a part. It also builds up the worn parts.

Introduction of Nickel Plating

A metal part is sunk in an electrolytic solution which has nickel ions and electric current in applied. This current creates a uniform layer of nickel deposited on the substrate. There are two common types of nickel plating which are electrolytic plating that uses current and electroless plating. This uses an auto-catalytic chemical process to deposit nickel onto a substrate without the current. The coating produced from this method is more uniform and can be applied easily over complex shapes.

Nickel Plating vs. Anodizing

Nickle plating is an electrochemical process depositing nickel onto a substrate. While in anodizing natural oxide layer of metal is thickened through an electrochemical process. The main difference between them is material compatibility. Anodizing is limited to aluminum, and sometimes to titanium and magnesium while nickel plating can be carried out on many metals like steel, copper, aluminum etc.

Types of Nickel Plating

Nickel plating can be divided into two main types, electrolytic and electroless plating which are further sub-divided into more forms. These are explained below:

Electrolytic Nickel Plating

As mentioned above, electrolytic nickel plating uses electric current to deposit nickel onto the substrate. The types of electrolytic nickel plating are:

Bright Nickel Plating

It is a decorative plating which has a shiny and mirror-like appearance. It is mostly utilized in car parts and electronics due to its aesthetic appeal.

Dull / Satin Nickel Plating

This plating is non-reflective with a matte finish and is often used in architectural and outdoor applications.

Black Nickel Plating

Black nickel plating is a decorative treatment finish that provides a dark or black appearance. it is often used for aesthetic purposes.

Nickel Sulfamate Plating

It is a type of electroplating that uses external electric current, but its formulation is based with sulfamate anions. These anions provide high ductility and can be used to create thick, stress-free deposits.

Electroless Nickel Plating

Electroless plating is done without an electrical current. A uniform thickness of nickel-phosphorus alloy coating is deposited through a chemical reaction of reducing agents causes nickel ions to deposit on a part. Common types of electroless plating are as:

Nickel Electroforming

It is a specialized form of electroplating used to create free-standing and complex metal parts. The plating process involves depositing nickel onto a mandrel (a temporary mold) and then remove and create the electroformed part.

Applications of Nickel Plating

Nickel plating is one of the widely used plating applied to parts used for industrial machinery, decorative items, automotive components, aerospace, and medical devices.

Industrial Machinery Components

Nickle plated industrial parts like gears, cylinders, valves, fasteners. Nickle coating is also used on parts that are exposed to harsh environments. Its purpose is to improve durability and protect against wear and corrosion from moisture and chemicals.

Decorative Parts

Nickle plating, especially bright nickel finish, is used for various consumer goods like household fixtures and jewelry. The purpose is to provide a bright and polished appearance and to resist corrosion or tarnishing.

Automotive Components

Nickle plated automotive parts like gears, cylinders, valves, fuel system components, drive shafts, and brake parts. It improves corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and overall durability for critical car components.

Aerospace Parts

Nickle plating is common for aircraft parts like turbine blades, landing gear components, and other high-stress parts. It improves strength, corrosion resistance and resistance to high-stress environments.

Medical Devices

Nickle coating is used widely for medical devices like surgical and diagnostic instruments. It improves corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, and forms a smooth and easy-to-clean surface for sterilization.

Nickel Plating in CNC Machined Parts

CNC machined parts are often subjected to surface treatments like nickel plating to improve their performance. It further improves their corrosion resistance, hardness, and durability against wear and tear. This industrial nickel coating forms a protective layer on the metal part and protects it from moisture, chemicals, and friction.

What Materials Can You Nickel Plate?

Common materials that can be nickel plated are stainless steels, copper alloys, aluminum alloys and others. Nickle plating in CNC machined parts gives better results in terms of improving their performance and efficiency in aggressive environments.

Stainless Steel

Nickel plating on stainless steel is sometimes unnecessary for corrosion protection. But it mostly applied for an additional layer of protection against harsh environments, and to improve wear resistance for industrial applications. Common stainless steel alloys that are nickel plated are as:

Copper & Copper Alloys

Nickel plating on copper alloys forms a protective layer that increases corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and hardness and also improves appearance. common copper alloys that are nickel plated:

Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys

Nickel plating on aluminum alloys increases their surface properties, and wear resistance, hardness, and corrosion resistance with aesthetic finish. Common aluminum nickel plated parts are as:

Zinc & Zinc Alloys

Nickel plating on zinc alloys increases their corrosion resistance, hardness, and the appearance of the part. Common nickel plated parts of zinc are:

Magnesium Alloys

Nickle plating on magnesium alloys makes a uniform, hard, and wear-resistant surface. This improves lubricity and solderability in these lightweight alloys. Common magnesium alloys are:

Titanium & Titanium Alloys

Nickle plating increases the surface properties like corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and electrical conductivity on titanium alloys while overcoming titanium's natural passivation layer. Common titanium alloys for nickel plating are:

Can Plastic Parts Be Nickel Plated?

Yes, nickel plated plastics are common, but the plating itself is a multi-step process. Plastic surface is prepared first to make it conductive before applying the coating. Common types of plastics like Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polypropylene and Nylon are plated for a durable, decorative, and functional finish.

Advantages of Nickel-Plated Parts

Nickel plated parts offer a variety of advantages like better corrosion resistance, harsh environments resistance, wear resistance and are aesthetically appealing. Details of the advantages of nickel plated parts.

Great Corrosion Resistance

Nickle finish forms a protective layer against moisture and chemicals to protect it from corrosion. It is best for electronic connectors, food processing equipment, and marine applications for salt water or harsh chemicals protection.

Excellent Wear Resistance

Nickle coating is hard and durable and significantly reduce wear on parts that experience friction. It is ideal for automotive components, engine parts, and tooling, where parts are in repeated motion and contact.

Enhanced Appearance

Nickle plated parts have a bright, shiny, and elegant finish and also be semi-bright or matte finish depending on the application. It is used for automotive industry, for consumer products like coinage, and for hardware.

Improved Surface Functionality

Nickle finish improves the performance of a part. For example, it increases conductivity for electronic applications like circuit boards, solderability, ductility, and smoothness by filling small holes and cracks on the surfaces.

Chemical & Temperature Resistance

Nickle coating provides resistance to a wide range of corrosive substances and to elevated temperatures. For example, it is crucial for part used in chemical processing and aerospace industries to increase their high temperatures resistance.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Nickel Plating

The selection of plating process depends on the intended use or required properties, applications needs and its compatibility with the base metal. To get the optimized results of nickel plating, choose the process wisely.

Required Properties

Nickle plating is done to enhance certain properties like corrosion resistance, wear resistance and appearance. For example, for maximum corrosion resistance against harsh and alkaline environment, for high wear resistance for parts that are subjected to high friction and for a functional matte look, Nickle plating is the best choice.

Application Requirements

Electroless nickel plating gives a uniform thickness in a complex geometry. Similarly, for high-temperature applications, high melting point of nickel can be a great advantage. Other than that, types of electroplating (electrolytic or electroless) can affect properties like electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity

Budges & Costs

Depending on the type of electroplating, budget and cost of the process can vary. For example, electroless plating costs more because of high uniformity, wear resistance and have a long-term saving. While electrolytic plating is cheaper, the lack of uniformity can be costly in the long run. Furthermore, nickel has high durability which reduces the overall lower maintenance and replacement costs.

How to Choose the Right Nickel-Plating Supplier

There are many different surface finishes, and choosing the right one for your parts is very important. There are some factors to consider when choosing a nickel-plating supplier. Evaluate their capability to handle the required application, material compatibility and required plating standards. Inquire about the lead time, factory capacity, and quality assurance processes so that it meets your delivery schedule and quality requirements. Select the supplier based on long-term value, for example, do not go for the cheaper options. It will have the potential risks of a poor-quality finish and can cost you more from maintenance costs.

One-Stop Solution in Tuofa

For a comprehensive solution, Tuofa CNC Machining offers a one-step solution to all your manufacturing needs. Tuofa provides nickel plated parts that require tight tolerances. Tuofa nickel plated parts streamline the entire process from initial CNC machining to final assembly and finishing.

Conclusion

Nickel plating improves corrosion resistance, hardness and provides a better base of other coating in CNC machined parts. The overall process involves preparing the surface, then using either electrolytic or electroless plating to deposit the nickel layer depending on the requirements. Electrolytic plating is cost-effective but has less uniformity and electroless plating has highly consistent coating results on complex internals shapes with a durable finish. But it is at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does nickel plating rust?

No, Nickel plating is highly corrosion resistant. It only corrodes if the plating is damaged.

How to maintain nickel plating

Regularly clean the surface with mild soap and a soft cloth, dry it immediately, and polish for shine to maintain Nickle plaiting.

When to use electroless nickel plating?

Electroless Nickle plating is used when high corrosion resistance, wear resistance, hardness and uniform coating in parts with complex geometries.

Can you machine or polish after nickel plating?

Yes, machine or polish can be done after nickel plating, but it needs care, and aggressive methods must not be used.