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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET

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Is Electroless Ni resistant to Sulfuric based Etch solutions?

Q. I have an Electroless Nickel plated Invar component that I would like to selectively cover with a rust inhibiting primer. The primer manufacturer suggests that the primer will have better adhesive properties if the surface is chemically pre-treated vs. mechanically.

My question: Is an Etch solution (Ferric sulphate/sulfuric acid) safe for the electroless surface?

Marta O [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
space systems - Sunnyvale, California, USA
2001

A. Hi Marta.

While electroless nickel is corrosion resistant, those etch solutions are deliberately designed to be highly aggressive and I doubt that it is "safe" even if the plating offers some temporary resistance. I think an organic masking material on the electroless nickel, such as would normally be used as an etch resist, will prove necessary.

If this is a one-time thing, I would definitely use masking. If you are designing a process, however, please test it in the lab rather than designing it based on my untested theory :-)

Luck and Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 2012

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