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Electroless nickel plating in a KOH environment

Q. I have some parts that need to be plated. I have been investigating the best way to do this. Are there any issues with electroless nickel plating in a KOH environment? I have some concerns with phosphorus being used in the electroless process. Will this be an issue in the long run? Thanks for the help in advance.

Marc Higginbotham
Materials Technician - Michigan
2006

First of two simultaneous responses --

A. Exactly what are your concerns with phosphorous? Remember that there is zero metallic (elemental) phosphorous involved.
KOH should not be a problem to the EN, but you really need to include mechanical abuse, base metal, concentration, temperature and exposure time for a better answer.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2006

Second of two simultaneous responses --

A. KOH will attack electroless nickel.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2006

A. A low phosphorous EN can withstand alkaline environment. HIGH PHOSPHOR and mid cannot!

Sara Michaeli
Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
2006

Thank you for all of the responses. I chose to go with a sulfamate nickel coating. Thanks again.

Marc Higginbotham
Materials Technician - Michigan
2006

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