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How to do NiB electroless plating on top of NiP electroless nickel plating
Q. Hi,
We want to obtain a double layered electroless NiP/NiB coating. We use commercial baths and when we do individual NiP and NiB coatings we have a good surface. But when I put the NiP coated sample (mild steel) in to NiB bath I get smut formation, and no NiB plating is seen on the surface.
Do you have any information about what should I do for obtaining a NiB layer on the NiP coated steel. Should I activate the surface with a chemical such as nitric acid or etc.
- Istanbul, Turkey
January 18, 2012
You said you use commercial baths. Your vendor should give you advise, he makes money with you. We won't.
G. Marrufo-Mexico
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
January 24, 2012
March 10, 2012
EN phos could be contaminated with copper, or the ENB could have copper or other contaminants that cause a smut. Test for impurities (suppliers can help). Also, low reducing agent (dimethyl amineboron) in the NiB solution can cause smut.
Don Baudrand
Consultant - Poulsbo, Washington
(Don is co-author of "Plating on Plastics" [on Amazon or AbeBooks affil links]
and "Plating ABS Plastics" [on Amazon or eBay or AbeBooks affil links])
While depositing the Ni-B layer over Ni-P layer, formation of a passive layer on Ni-P might interfere the Ni-B coating.
A nickel strike would help solve this problem.
I did not understand what you mean by SMUT formation.
T.S.N. Sankara Narayanan
- Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
(ed.note: The good doctor offers a fascinating blog, "Advancement in Science" )
March 28, 2012
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