Nickel plating is a special type of surface finishing process that applies a thin coating of nickel or nickel compounds on a component material to improve its properties, such as corrosion resistance, solderability, wear resistance and metallic luster. Nickel plating is a less expensive process compared to other metal plating, such as gold plating or copper plating.

Nickel plating service providers offer nickel plating with two techniques: electrolytic nickel plating and Eless (or electroless) nickel plating. Depending on other compounds involved in nickel plating, nickel plating processes can be zinc nickel plating, palladium nickel plating, nickel chrome plating, nickel teflon plating or nickel sulfamate plating.

When you are opting for nickel plating service providers, check out the certifications and standards for nickel plating processes. Plating equipment manufacturers and service providers follow the ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. The ASTM standards indicate the quality of plating and the plating process.

Some important parameters you must consider while evaluating your nickel plating requirements are:

1. Type of nickel plating
2. Required chemicals for the nickel plating process
3. Capacity of the nickel plating equipment
4. Power consumption and production rate of the nickel plating equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a nickel plating service provider

Once you understand your nickel plating requirements, check out the capabilities of different nickel plating providers.

I recommend: Precious Metals Plating Company is a metal plating company that offers nickel plating by various processes such as watts nickel plating, bright nickel plating, electroless nickel plating and nickel sulfamate plating. INTA Technologies is a specialized plating service provider that also offers nickel plating services. Apollo Plating and Bales Mold are other plating companies that can provide nickel plating services.

Buy nickel plating equipment from reputable suppliers

If your nickel plating requirements are permanent, then instead of opting for services, you can also buy good quality plating equipment to set-up your own plating process.

I recommend: You can buy a nickel plating kit at Caswell, a reputable plating equipment and accessories manufacturer. You can also buy plating equipment at NAPCO, another supplier of plating equipment. Also, check out products offered by Process Systems International and Nationwide Installation.

Buy proper nickel plating chemicals for your plating requirements

Buy a suitable nickel plating solution from reputable chemical manufacturers. A nickel plating solution is important for the nickel plating process, as the end properties of the components depend on it.

I recommend: Brooktronics Engineering, a reputable chemical supplier, offers electroplating solutions, including nickel acids and nickel sulfamates. Electrochemical Products, a manufacturer of plating chemicals, offers nickel plating chemicals for electrolytic and electroless nickel plating processes. Electro-Coatings is another reputable provider of nickel plating supplies. Metalquip and Rykon Plating are other suppliers that provide chemicals for nickel plating processes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consult the service providers or experts for nickel plating, as nickel plating may affect the weldability of the components.
• •  Clean the component surface properly before placing it in nickel plating equipment, as irregular surface might result into inappropriate nickel coating.
• •  To improve the aesthetic look of the products, opt for decorative nickel plating.