High Chloride Nickel Bath

Question:

What is a typical formulation for a high chloride nickel plating bath? Where would a bath of this type be used? M. K.

Answer:

A typical formulation for a bath of this type is as follows:

Component Concentration (g/liter)
Nickel chloride NiCl2• 6H2O 90 – 200
Nickel sulfate NiSO4• 6H2O 75 – 150
Boric acid 30 – 45

A bath of this type is sometimes used in barrel plating. A bath that has a high concentration of nickel chloride has better conductivity than the conventional Watts type bath.

A good article that compares the most common types of nickel plating baths titled Nickel Plating Primer by Beverly Graves.