Plating Q&A: Electroless Nickel on Tungsten
Can one apply electroless nickel over a tungsten metal matrix? Art Kushner answers the question.
.jpg;maxWidth=600)
Q. Can one apply electroless nickel over a tungsten metal matrix? S.T.
A. There are a couple of different procedures for doing this that are found in the plating literature. One such procedure is outlined in the book Electroless Plating – Fundamentals and Applications (1990), edited by Glenn O. Mallory and Juan B. Hadju.
The general procedure is as follows:
- Alkaline potassium ferrocyanide soak, 215 g/L in 75 g/L potassium hydroxide, room temperature, for one min.
- Rinse.
- Boil in 10 percent potassium hydroxide for 10 min.
- Rinse.
- Dip in 10 percent hydrochloric acid for 30 sec.
- Rinse.
- Activate with palladium chloride (0.1–0.5 g/L in 1–3 mL/L hydrochloric acid).*
- Rinse.
- Electroless nickel plate.
*A Wood’s nickel strike may be substituted in some cases.
To read more of Art Kushner's answers to plating, questions, click HERE
Related Content
-
How to Maximize Nickel Plating Performance
The advantages of boric acid-free nickel plating include allowing manufacturers who utilize nickel plating to keep up the ever-changing regulatory policies and support sustainability efforts.
-
How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium
There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.
-
Advantages to Pumped Eductor Agitation
Not all agitation methods are created equally. Pumped agitation with eductor nozzles can improve process tanks and quickly show a reduction in operating costs while keeping staff safe, following environmental legislation and preventing pollution.
