Nickel plating adds a layer of nickel to a metal part and this helps to protect it from rust and can also make it look better. There are two ways of doing this and they both add a nickel coating but in different ways.
Electroless Nickel Plating
Electroless nickel plating, such as the examples seen here, swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/electroless-nickel-plating/ does not use electricity because the metal part is placed in a chemical solution. A chemical reaction then makes the nickel stick to the surface. This gives the part a smooth coating and it also covers holes, threads and small gaps and this makes it good for parts with more detailed shapes.
The Health and Safety Executive says that nickel can be dangerous if it’s not handled safely at work, so the right advice should always be followed.
Electrolytic Nickel Plating
Electrolytic nickel plating uses electricity to put the nickel onto the metal part. It works well on simple shapes but the coating is not always even, and it can be thicker around edges and thinner in corners. It is often used where the finish is more important than creating the same coating all over the part.
Which One Is Better?
Electroless nickel plating is often used for engineering parts because it gives an even coating and good protection against rust. Electrolytic nickel plating is usually used on simple parts or if you need to improve their appearance. Both methods are good, and the best one depends on how the finished part will be used.
