Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Low temperature electroless nickel
Q. Just a hobby of mine...... I come from Holland (that's in Europe).
As a result of a few tests I have developed an electroless nickel solution depositing below 0 °C! For those who are used to work with Fahrenheit: water freezes at zero °C. Even at temperatures of -5 °C there was activity in the 'juice'. Ductility was found okay. Stability of the electroless nickel is far above expectations; one can even poor an ionic Pd solution in it, solution doesn't get wild. For those who think this is because they think I used a poisoned Pd solution: they are wrong; the used Pd solution proved to be an effective catalyst in other EN solutions. Deposition rate: measured at 26 °C 4 microns per hour. Solution can be operated both under alkaline or acid conditions. Turn-overs of the solution: I stopped trying after 30 metal turn overs .... this is no fun! I wonder what will happen when I use a Boron substance instead of hypophosphite ... will a chiller be needed when operated at the south Pole?
Perhaps there is a company looking for something like this? Of course there still has to be some engineering to be done.
For Ted Mooney: can we downsize the temperature Sir? I'm from Holland, and sometimes metals are my hobby. Cool site! + always updated!
Thanks, sure! Bye.
Ruud Kooijman- Venlo, The Netherlands
2003
A. Okay, if this is for real, how do you keep it from plating out on the walls of the tank when not in use, Like the 2 week holiday many European companies take.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2003
It is for real. In my garage. I didn't use a metal tank but a beaker [beakers on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links] glass for the EN solution, it's just a hobby. It stays perfectly stable in it. When stored in a plastic bottle it even stays stable for years, no problem. Of course the EN solution becomes filtered before it gets stored. Satisfied with the answer? Please feel free to ask.
P.S.: we have a holiday of 26 days; ± 45 days when you work for the state.
Kind regards,
Ruud Kooijman- Venlo, Holland, The Netherlands
2003
Q. Dear James,
When a solution is plated out I replace some of the chemicals, easy operation. The electroless nickel bath allows about anything: nickel salt and hypophosphite are added in solid form, and I do not have to rush to get it into solution. Can't go wrong. It is sooooo stable! Even when operated at high square meter per volume EN it stays okay. For me this means: put in as many square meters as possible in the beaker glass. And let it stay in the beaker glass for the night, no problem. Next morning you can see a discolored EN, (filter). Add nickel salt/hypophosphite(solid)until next metal turn over.
I think the EN can be used in barrel plating. You do not believe me? Take a flight to Amsterdam, or (better) Dusseldorf in Germany. And I will show you it is for real.
Kind regards,
Ruud Kooijman.....just a hobby; no company - Venlo, Holland, The Netherlands
2003
A. My original comment was the stability - If it will plate on metal at low temp, it will normally self destruct or plate out on the tank. You are correct on tank loading -- the more metal, the happier the tank is. Barrels do work on EN. The barrel needs to have the largest holes possible for solution transfer. It normally needs massive air agitation under the barrel to assist in the transfer of solution. At least one company sells barrels that you can pump solution into. Har-Con Chrome in CT developed this method over 25 years ago.
Alkaline EN will plate at room temp or slightly above, but very slowly and will quit plating after a given build up. It will last about a week or two before self destructing. pH has a lot to do with plate rate on acid or alkaline EN.
It would be interesting to see what the properties of your EN would be relative to conventional EN.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2003
Q. Ruud Kooijman,
Would this technique be practical for someone wishing to do plating at home? Is there any way to get more information on your technique?
- Camarillo, California, USA
2005
A. Oh ... it is a long time ago I looked into this webpage.
The electroless nickel 'described' in this article is very suitable for to use it at home.
Regards,
- Venlo, The Netherlands
2006
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