Electroless nickel produces an alloy with truly unusual properties. These properties certainly have their advantages in a broad range of applications. Most applications take advantage of the hardness, lubricity, corrosion resistance, and electrical and magnetic properties of electroless nickel, as well as its ability to cover both complex internal and external geometric surfaces.

Petroleum
Equipment used for petroleum production,
refining, and petrochemicals has been a rapidly expanding market for electroless nickel. EN, because of its superior corrosion and abrasion resistance, has been useful in the following ways: in the improvement and reliability of the equipment’s life; in the replacement of exotic and expensive alloys; and in the reduction of investment and operating costs. Common applications are ball, gate, and check valves, chokes and blow out preventers, mud pumps, sucker rod and pumps, piping, heat exchangers, packers and safety valves, including all varieties of down hole tools. Such products utilize electroless nickel not only on component parts but on the entire internal areas. This is has been increasingly the case in valves and pumps, when size or pressures make the use of stainless components impractical. Electroless nickel, in aggressive petroleum environments, has often outlasted plain steel by 10 or more times.

Packaging and Handling Machinery

Electroless nickel provides a hard, wear resistant surface, as wellas anattractive finish and an increased cleanliness to the part. ENis normally approved by the FDA for food service equipment.

Chemical Equipment
One of the first commercial
applications of electroless nickel was to coat the inside of vessels used in the transportation of corrosive liquids. Current uses of electroless nickel for the chemical industries include liquid gases, plastics, acid and alkalis, and nuclear energy components. EN is suitable for many environments where no other appropriate alternative can be found. EN is almost completely resistant to attack from all chemicals, except for strong oxidizing acids and salts. EN takes well to most equipment and can provide a uniform coating to complex shapes and on the insides of tubing and vessels. EN is particularly suited for valves, tank interiors, mixing and heating exchange equipment, screens, piping blowers, palletizers, turbines and pumps.

Molds and Dies
Electroless Nickel's ability to provide an overall uniform deposit, even into deep recesses, ensures that the mold’s finish will duplicate the original surface. During injection the natural lubricity of the coating provides both a smooth flow as well as a quick and easy release of the part from the mold. EN, because of its high hardness, even at elevated temperatures, can minimize erosion and abrasion of mold parts and help to extend their lives. Electroless nickel is also an excellent protection against the corrosive fumes produced during the molding of such plastics as ABS, PVC and materials with vinyl additives.

Salvage
When it comes to cost
effectiveness, electroless nickel is a perfect match for salvage and repair. With its superior adhesion, uniform thickness, excellent wear and corrosion resistance, Electroless Nickel is often used to selectively build up worn or mis-machined parts. The cost savings from such repairs are often substantial.