Precision Electroless Nickel Plating: The art of Intricate Masking

Sometimes our customers only require Electroless Nickel Plating on a specific area of their component. When this is the case our expert team work in partnership with our clients to develop bespoke solutions often requiring intricate masking techniques to ensure plating only in specific areas.

Understanding Electroless Nickel Plating

ENP involves immersing a base material in a nickel salt and hypophosphite solution. The base material acts as a catalyst, triggering the deposition of a nickel-phosphorous coating. This coating provides excellent corrosion resistance, improved hardness, wear resistance, conductivity, and shielding properties.

The Importance of Masking

When only specific parts of a component need to be plated, masking techniques become essential. Masking involves strategically covering areas that should not be plated, ensuring that the ENP process is confined to the desired regions.

CBE+’s Masking Techniques:

At CBE+, our team use a variety of masking methods to achieve selective plating:

• Lacquering: This technique involves applying a special paint-like coating to areas that need to be protected from plating. Lacquering is particularly effective for Diffused Nickel Plating (DNP), as it naturally sheds during the heat treatment process. Due to this, it is often used on Oilfield and Subsea parts which are undergoing DNP.
• Taping: Adhesive and non-adhesive tapes are used to precisely mask specific areas, with benefit of being easily removed after plating. Non-adhesive taping is ideal for masking external threads or outer diameters when plating is required only on the inside of a part.
• Spray Maskant: A spray-applied coating that can be easily trimmed away in areas where plating is needed. This method is well-suited for large-surface components. Last year we used this method on a 5 tonne 1.5m diameter oilfield part, trimming it in the areas our Nickel PTFE needed to be applied for anti-galling properties.
• Plugs and Bungs: These are inserted into threaded or drilled holes to prevent plating inside. They can be made from various materials and are often used when a hole needs to maintain its precise size. We practise this method on parts used in Formula 1 which have numerous bores and hydraulic ports which need to be excluded from plating.

CBE+ Expertise

Masking can be used with any of our ENP variants, including medium and high phosphorus, Nickel PTFE, and Diffused Nickel.

While masking can sometimes be more expensive than plating the entire component, due to the intricate and complex nature of the process for certain parts, it ultimately allows for precise control. Our team, with over 30 years of plating experience, can help you determine the most cost-effective solution for your specific needs.

Contact Us

If you’re looking for a reliable partner for surface protection, contact CBE+ today. Our experts can discuss your project in detail and provide guidance on the most suitable masking techniques for your application.