How is nickel used in plating?

Among the many materials used in plating, nickel is one of the most popular, valued for its corrosion resistance and aesthetic benefits. This article breaks down how and why we use this specific metal for our plating needs.

What is nickel plating?

Nickel plating is the process whereby a surface, known as a substrate, is covered with a layer of nickel, providing additional strength, resistance, and aesthetic qualities to the original material.

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Because many metals aren’t able to last against corrosion, adding a thin layer of nickel on top can retain the original strengths of the substrate whilst also boosting its effectiveness in weaker areas.

In aerospace, an industry where plating is incredibly common, plating keeps the original functions of the material whilst adding additional resistance. This prevents the strict designs from being compromised and can combine the best attributes of multiple materials.

Nickel’s strength, protective properties and ductility make it an excellent choice for plating, and you can find advice and services for nickel composites online, such as here: https://www.poeton.co.uk/advanced-treatments/apticote-460-nickel-composites.

How is it done?

The two main methods of nickel plating are electroplating and electroless plating. As you’ve likely gathered from the names, one method uses electricity, whilst the other doesn’t. More specifically, one uses an electric current to deposit the nickel, whilst the other uses chemicals.

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The electric process is also commonly referred to as electrolytic nickel plating. Electrolytic plating is great for precision regarding the thickness of the nickel layer, whilst electroless plating is better for precision on smaller, more complex components, with the chemical reaction enabling full coverage easily.

The processes are too complex to describe succinctly, but you can find additional information on how electrolytic and electroless processes work here:

In short, electrolytic plating uses electricity to bond nickel ions to the metal substrate, whilst electroless plating uses a solution of nickel ions and a reducing agent to trigger deposition.

Overall, electrolytic plating is more common for thick coatings and aesthetics, whilst electroless plating allows for greater overall precision in nickel application. Depending on your needs and resources, you can use either method to great effect.