Electroless nickel plating on aluminium

Uniformity, resistance
and precision on
aluminium components

Componente in alluminio trattato con nichelatura chimica per migliorare resistenza alla corrosione e all'usura

Electroless nickel plating
on aluminium

Electroless nickel plating on aluminium (Electroless Nickel Plating) is one of the most effective solutions for improving the surface performance of this material.

The process makes it possible to obtain perfect adhesion, thickness uniformity, corrosion resistance and high hardness, even on complex geometries, cavities and surfaces that are difficult to reach.

Thanks to the absence of electric current, the nickel deposit takes place homogeneously, making electroless nickel plating particularly suitable.

Why nickel-plate aluminium?

Aluminium is widely used in precision engineering for its lightness and for the good mechanical properties of many of its alloys, but it has clear limits at the surface level:

  • low wear resistance
  • tendency to seizing in sliding contacts
  • sensitivity to corrosion, in particular in the presence of conditions that trigger galvanic corrosion

Electroless nickel plating makes it possible to overcome these limits, transforming aluminium into a material suitable for aggressive environments, mechanical contacts and stringent dimensional requirements.

The critical point: coating adhesion

Nickel plating of aluminium requires dedicated preparation.

It is essential to provide a surface activation treatment that creates a thin intermediate layer to activate the receiving surface.

The quality and uniformity of this step are decisive in guaranteeing the adhesion and protective effectiveness of the coating.

Our plus: an optimised and controlled process

Thanks to constant Research and Development activity, at Deltar we have developed a repeatable and controlled preparation cycle for electroless nickel plating on aluminium.

The aim is to guarantee high coating adhesion, thickness uniformity and an excellent aesthetic result while preserving critical geometries, finishes and tolerances.

The process has been optimised by eliminating sandblasting, to avoid surface alterations.

How we increase the corrosion resistance of aluminium

Electroless nickel protects aluminium because it is a more “noble” metal, but it is essential to correctly manage the phenomenon of galvanic corrosion.
In the presence of a corrosive trigger, a potential difference can accelerate the attack of the base metal and cause corrosion to progress along the interface.
For this reason, correct surface preparation, the choice of an adequate thickness and the absence of porosity in the deposit are decisive.
With specific and optimised cycles, electroless nickel plating on aluminium ensures excellent results verified with specific tests including the salt spray test (ISO 9227), and increasing performance as thickness increases.

Wear resistance
and hardness

The performance related to wear depends on the type of nickel deposited: the typical hardness of electroless nickel is in the order of 500 ± 50 HV.

When required, post-deposition heat treatments can be evaluated to further increase the hardness, considering case by case the aluminium alloy and compatibility with treatment temperatures.

Electroless nickel plating
on aluminium: where it is
particularly suitable

Electroless nickel plating on aluminium is an extremely effective treatment for:

fluid-power/pneumatic components
components subject to wear, friction or dimensional stability
parts in contact with caustic soda, salt water, acidic liquids

Masking and
selective protection

When necessary, we carry out masking and targeted protection
to protect certain functional areas, such as sealing seats,
threads and coupling surfaces, from nickel plating.
We use protective paints and selective masking techniques
according to the geometry of the part, guaranteeing a clean
treatment that complies with specifications.

What is needed for
a quick assessment

To recommend the most suitable electroless nickel plating cycle on aluminium for the components, it is useful to receive:

  • grade, aluminium alloy and material condition
  • drawing with areas to be treated / areas to be protected
  • required thickness
  • design specifications
  • operating environment

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Contact us for more information

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