Electroless Nickel Plating - A Review

The operating process, versatility and the increasing research interest in optimising the process and products technology in the electroless plating method of metal coating, particularly, the electroless nickel plating of metallic substrates such as mild steel, necessitates the writing of this review. It is also aimed at providing more literature information, both of the past and the present published research in this field. In this paper, electroless nickel plating is introduced. The various nickel plating solutions and baths' operating parameters; main types of electroless nickel plating; the mechanism involved in the plating process; application of the nickel plating process to iron powders; advantages and disadvantages and the process's other applications are reviewed. Electroless nickel plating produces an amorphous deposit in the as-plated condition. The deposit is not dependent on current distribution and hence it is almost uniform in thickness. Electroless nickel plating is far more difficult to remove chemically than conventional nickel deposits due to its superior corrosion resistance. The deposit has a good wettability and is generally hard. However, its bath control is more complex than with electroplating. The bath also has lower efficiency and higher operating costs, even without the use of electricity.