Electroless nickel plating on high-alloy steel

Superior performance
for high-alloy steels,
stainless and superalloys

Componenti cilindrici in acciaio alto legato destinati alla nichelatura chimica per applicazioni industriali in ambienti critici

Electroless nickel plating
on high-alloy steel

High-alloy, stainless, duplex steels and superalloys are used in the most demanding industrial applications: corrosive environments, high temperatures, intense mechanical stresses, traceability requirements and compliance with international standards.
Although already resistant materials, they benefit significantly from electroless nickel plating (Electroless Nickel Plating), which adds a uniform, high-hardness, anti-corrosion and dimensionally stable surface layer, even on complex geometries.

Why nickel-plate high-alloy steel?

  • Alloy steels require additional protection in particularly aggressive environments (H2S, marine, chemical)
  • Stainless steels, although resistant, can benefit from greater surface hardness and wear resistance
  • Duplex and superalloys may require a dimensionally stable surface finish for precision couplings
  • The coating adds a uniform protective layer without altering the dimensions of the part

The electroless nickel plating process on high-alloy steels

High-alloy steels are not catalytic: they require a specific pre-treatment cycle, different from that of low-alloy steels. At Deltar we apply a differentiated activation cycle based on the composition of the alloy, which includes a catalytic nickel layer obtained through a Wood’s bath, in compliance with the ASTM B656 standard par. 5.5.10, Annex A1.4.
This step is fundamental to guarantee uniform adhesion and the absence of porosity, especially on stainless, duplex and superalloys.
Deposition takes place chemically, without electric current, through an autocatalytic process that ensures thickness uniformity over the entire surface of the part, regardless of geometry.
On request, post-deposition heat treatments can be integrated in compliance with the ASTM B733 standard, for dehydrogenation and increased coating hardness.

Advantages of electroless nickel plating on high-alloy steel

  • Superior anti-corrosion protection in aggressive and critical environments
  • High hardness (500-600 HV), which can be increased up to ~1000 HV with specific heat treatment
  • Thickness uniformity even on complex geometries, holes, seats and threads
  • Compatibility with the main international standards (ASTM, ISO, NACE, customer-specific)
  • Dimensional precision maintained even after treatment

Typical applications

Electroless nickel plating on high-alloy steel is widely used in the following industrial sectors:

  • Oil & Gas: valves, actuators, turbines, pump bodies, subsea components
  • Chemical and petrochemical: reactors, exchangers, tanks
  • Aerospace: structural and propulsion components
  • Nuclear: components where deposit uniformity and traceability are critical requirements
  • Military and defence
  • Precision engineering: shafts, seats, bushings, components with tight tolerances
  • Energy and wind power
  • Marine
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Food

What is needed for
a quick assessment

To define the most suitable electroless nickel plating cycle on high-alloy steel, it is useful to receive:

Technical drawing with areas to be treated and to be protected
Type of steel (e.g. AISI 316, Duplex UNS S31803, Inconel 625, etc.)
Required thickness and operating environment
Applicable specifications (ASTM, ISO, NACE, ARAMCO, LEONARDO, etc.)

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