Electroless Nickel Plating Electrical Conductivity

Nickel electroplating electroplating or surface treatment involves applying a thin layer of metal or metal alloy.

Electroless nickel plating electrical conductivity.

Conductive textiles coated with nickel aluminum silver and copper are important types of materials for emi shielding. First developed in the 1940s electroless nickel en plating is used heavily by automotive and aviation for corrosion and wear resistance. They are conductive but not as much as some other metals. Heat treatments precipitate phosphorus from the alloy and can increase the conductivity of electroless nickel by 2 to 4 times.

The purpose is to change the technical or physical properties of the surface of the items being plated such as their electrical conductivity or to improve their durability appearance and performance. Hard chrome and electroless nickel plating aren t typically used for their electrical conductivity attributes. The formulation of the plating solution can also affect conductivity. Black nickel is electrolytic nickel plating with a secondary treatment to turn the surface black.

The electrical conductivity of nickel is 9 7 10 4 s cm 7 9 26. The thermal conductivity of an electroless nickel deposit containing 8 to 9 percent phosphorus is 0 0105 to 0 0135 cal cm sec c. For example 3 p gives a resistance of about 30 micro ohm cm 8 9 p gives a resistance of about 90 110 micro ohm cm. There is a difference in electrical conductivity properties.

Electrical thermal conductivity the thermal and electrical properties of electroless nickel coatings will vary with phosphorus content. The electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of high phosphorus en is generally 50 200 micro ohms cm and 0 08 w cm2 k respectively. Tests with baths complexed with sodium acetate and with succinic acid showed electrical resistivities of 61 and 804μω cm respectively. Heat treatment can lower the resistance a lot.

It is a coating with multi functional properties. The specific resistance of electroless nickel with 6 7 p is about 50 70 micro ohm cm in general the more phosphorus the more resistance. Not only are the electrical properties of gold plating desirable but gold plating results in the following other desirable properties. Electrodeposited nickel has a value of 0 19 to 0 26 cal cm sec c.

Gold plating is applied to provide excellent electrical conductivity for many industries. Hardness heat hardenability solderability electrical conductivity and abrasion wear and corrosion resistance.