Battery nickel plating technical requirements and standards

What are the criteria for a nickel plating?

The criteria may include adhesion, ductility, corrosion resistance, etc. depending on the application and the service conditions. In the majority of cases the nickel-plated layer is top-coated with chromium or with alternative final finishes (e.g. gold, brass, etc.). Copper plating is often applied as an undercoat.

What is the nickel plating Handbook?

The Nickel Institute is all about the safe and appropriate use of nickel and we are pleased to provide this high quality guide to electroplating. The updated edition of the Nickel Plating Handbook provides practical information for the operation and control of nickel plating processes,” said Dr. Hudson Bates, President Nickel Institute.

What is included in a nickel plating certificate?

It covers electrolyte composition, specifications for decorative coatings, engineering coatings, testing procedures, troubleshooting, practical tips, waste minimisation and advice on occupational and environmental health aspects of nickel plating.

What is the purity of primary nickel for plating?

Primary nickel for plating has high purity of 99.95% Ni + Co. Apart from the pure grade, an activated grade is also available, which contains a small amount of sulphur to lower the anodic potential. For most nickel plating operations, both pure and activated grades dissolve satisfactorily under anodic conditions.

What temperature should a nickel plating bath be operated at?

In general, most commercial nickel plating baths are operated between 38 to 600C (100 to 1400F). The nickel plating process should be operated at specified current densities by estimating the surface area of the parts and calculating the total current required. The practice of operating the process at a fixed voltage is not recommended.

Is nickel a bright coating?

Nickel is most commonly applied as a bright coating. Highly lustrous coatings are achieved through the use of suitable addition agents in the plating solutions. Additionally, modern bright nickel plating solutions exhibit excellent ‘levelling’ properties (i.e. they have the ability to hide polishing lines and other surface imperfections).