Nickel plating is used to improve the appearance of metal products, as well as provide protection from corrosion. The process has many industrial and residential applications and serves as a cost-effective alternative to chrome plating.

Though it can be difficult to recognize the dissimilarities, there are two distinct types of nickel plating. The traditional process is electrolytic, while electroless nickel plating is an increasingly popular method used in manufacturing industries. The metal finishing professionals at Porter-Guertin Co. use the latest technology and equipment to provide Cincinnati, OH, customers with long-lasting, attractive products.

Here, they explain the key differences between the two primary nickel plating techniques:

• Corrosion Resistance: The electroless nickel plating process yields far better results in terms of corrosion resistance. That’s because it’s an amorphous alloy containing nickel and phosphorus. The addition of the phosphorus element makes the deposit more resistant to corrosion than those that have gone through an electrolytic nickel plating.
• Magnetic Properties: Adding phosphorus to a nickel coating also decreases the magnetic properties of the surface. This means items plated through the electroless method are less magnetic than those coated through the conventional procedure. For many electronic items, this factor presents a considerable advantage. 
• Deposit Uniformity: Traditional electrolytic nickel plating requires the application of an external electrical current to propel the deposition. This results in a non-uniform thickness with a surplus of deposit left on the corners or edges of the product. In contrast, the electroless nickel plating process utilizes a chemical reducing agent, which creates a more uniform layer on the surface of processed materials.

It’s important to keep these differences in mind when choosing between electrolytic and electroless nickel plating. Not sure which is the right metal finishing solution for your project? Contact Porter-Guertin at (513) 241-7663 to find out, or visit them online for additional information.