Process	Electroless nickel plating
	Suitable for complex shapes and large-size components. It deposits a uniform coating regardless of the shape of the part or surface irregularities, allowing savings in material. The layer has low porosity, high resistance to wear and corrosion. In an aqueous solution containing hypophosphite, nickel-ions reduce to nickel-metal which coats the substrate surface. Accurate temperature (85-95 C) and nickel concentration control are important to achieve uniform deposition rates. Nickel is the only high-temperature metal in commercial production by electroless method. Typical thickness between 5 to 25 micron. Deposition rate about 10-20 micron/min.
Danish Name	Kemisk fornikling
Category	Surface processes, Plating
Materials	Substrates: Steel Aluminium Plastics Ceramics Glasses Nickel (coating)
Typical products	Flow meter Mould for rubber Printing roll
Competing processes	Nickel plating
References	Arbeitsgemeinschaft - Galvanotechnik AHC Oberflächentechnik Blasberg Oberflächentechnik GmbH Selectron Metalpålægning
Price notes	Compared to nickel plating, electroless nickel is more expensive: about 50 percent more expensive. The reason is the frequent changes of the chemical bath (every 6-7 turnovers; see additional information). These values are just indicative.
	DKK/part 5 parts 100 5000 Small (1cm2) 126 16.5 0.133 Medium (1dm2) 177 34.5 1.36 Large (100dm2) 453 277.5 117
Price date	March 1997
Environmen- tal notes	The process uses very little electrical energy, except that required for maintaining the electrolyte temperature.
Additional info	If a bath contains X g nickel (e.g. X=500 g), a turnover is the time required for depositing X g nickel on the coated parts. The turnover depends on the utilisation of the bath, and can vary according to production necessities.
Photo	Thomas Nissen (Computer graphics)
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