Updated 8/7/2023 Published 7/13/2023

Electroless Nickel Conference 2023: Learn, Solve, Network

The Electroless Nickel Conference 2023 takes place Sept. 26-29th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Katie Leesemann, Former Editorial Assistant, Gardner Business Media

For all things pertaining to the highly specialized craft of electroless nickel finishing, the Electroless Nickel Conference 2023 is the place to be on Sept. 26-28 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The conference features experts in electroless nickel who aim to educate and enlighten finishers while also driving the next generation of electroless nickel finishers forward. Over 20 speakers are scheduled to speak at the conference, bringing insight on a variety of different topics all involving electroless nickel finishing. The conference also provides a great networking opportunity for the EN community to meet others in the industry.

“For a relatively short 2.5-day conference program, we have a lot to offer attendees,” says Brad Durkin, ENC 2023’s technical director. “Additionally, the format of this conference is designed to offer greater interaction with attendees and the speakers, which is different from earlier EN conferences.”

Speakers at ENC 2022 engaging with attendees.

The conference this year also features ENC University (ENCU), a program providing an educational experience to those new to electroless nickel finishing. However, ENCU is still a learning experience for anyone who attends regardless of their level of experience. ENCU works as a boot camp to help attendees grow their careers in electroless nickel. ENCU takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. There will also be a lunch with the experts during the day. Registration for ENCU is separate from the rest of ENC, so additional registration is necessary to secure a spot.

For more information visit electrolessnickelevent.com

ENC 2023 Agenda

Tuesday, Sept. 26

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.	Registration & Breakfast	N/A
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.	Opening Remarks	Brad Durkin
8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.	EN The Development Story: From Lab Curiosity to Prime Finish – How EN Has Evolved	Boules Marcos
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	EN Properties: Help Me Choose the Best EN Deposit for the Application	Matt Sisti
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	EN Chemistry: Balance and Proper Feeding	Boules Marcos
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Refreshment Break	N/A
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	EN Equipment: Choosing the Right Equipment = Success!	Charles Johnson
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	EN Bath Control: Important Considerations	Boules Marcos
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.	Lunch With Experts	N/A
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Pretreatment Strategies for the Best Activation and Application of EN on Various Substrates	Brad Durkin
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Troubleshooting: Strategies for your Process	Boules Marcos
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	Refreshment Break	N/A
3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.	Deposit Defects – Why Do I Have Deposit Corrosion Failures? Myths and Facts	Brad Durkin

Wednesday, Sept. 27

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.	Registration & Breakfast	N/A
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.	Opening Remarks	Brad Durkin
8:15 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.	Choosing the Right Solution	Travis Johnson
8:40 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.	Complex and Difficult Electroless Nickel Plating Applications — Case Studies	Daniel Englebert
9:05 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Successful Plating of Aluminum Alloys	Michael Aleksinas
9:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.	Historical Applications & Methods of Phosphorus Analysis and Control	Brad Durkin
9:55 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Best Practices for Electroless Nickel — PTFE Plating	Michael Feldstein
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Refreshment Break	N/A
10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.	Electroless Nickel Pitting Types and Mitigation Strategies	Jordan Beavers
10:55 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.	Understanding XRF Capabilities to Measure Electroless Nickel Coatings	Rob Weber
11:20 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	From Protection to Performance – Anodic Protection of Stainless Steel Tanks in Electroless Nickel Applications	Charles Johnson
11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.	Phosphorus Removal from Electroless Nickel Wastewaters Through Oxidation	Steven Buday
12:10 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Panel Discussion: Best Practices & Technical Opportunities	Brad Durkin, Charles Johnson, Jordan Beavers, Michael Feldstein, Rob Weber, Steven Buday, Travis Johnson
1:00 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.	Luncheon Presentation: Cybersecurity Requirements for Defense Contractors	Scott Singer
1:55 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.	Marketing and Sales: All You Need Is EN	Kurt Weamer
2:20 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.	Palm International Inc. Presentation	N/A
2:45 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.	How to Future Proof Your Plant	Dean Halonen
3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Refreshment Break	N/A
3:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.	Improvement of EN Plating Operation Efficiency Through Improved Process Control	Brad Staples
3:55 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.	Tips From a Top Shop	Michael Feldstein
4:20 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.	How to Use Existing Job Shop Data to Streamline Production & Boost Profits	Jeff Halonen
4:45 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.	Case Studies & Strategies for Waste Treatment in EN Plating Facilities	David Calnan
5:10 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.	Panel Discussion: Business Opportunities	Brad Durkin, Collin Peters, David Calnan, Dean Halonen, Jeff Halonen, Kurt Weamer, Michael Feldstein, Scott Singer
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Networking Reception	N/A

Thursday, Sept. 28

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.	Registration & Breakfast	N/A
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.	Opening Remarks & Recap	Brad Durkin
8:15 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.	Evolution of EN Applications	Brad Durkin
8:40 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.	Pathways for Sustainability in Electroless Nickel Processes	Douglas Hughes
9:05 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Aspects of High Phosphorus Electroless Nickel Coatings	Ambrose Schaffer
9:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.	EN Plating Superabrasive Tooling: Production Advances and Equipment Upgrades	Jordan Donnelly
9:55 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Electroless Nickel Plating	Collin Peters
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Refreshment Break	N/A
10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.	Review of Traditional Hybrid EN Applications	Brad Durkin
10:55 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.	Utilizing Duplex EN Coatings to Pass Mil-DTL-38999 Testing Requirements	Joseph Zabielski
11:20 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Evaluation: Thermal Diffusion and Electroless Nickel as a Catalysis	Richard (Ian) MacMoy
11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.	Evaluation: EN Based Rough Colored Coatings on Aluminum Alloys	Ian Mardon
12:10 p.m. – 12:35 p.m.	Hybrid EN Applications: Including Thin Film PVD/CVD “Matrix Coatings” as a Performance Solution	Daniel Downey
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Panel Discussion: EN Technology and Hybrid Applications	Ambrose Schaffer, Brad Durkin, Daniel Downey, Douglas Huges, Ian Mardon, Jordan Donnelly, Joseph Zabielski, Richard (Ian) MacMoy