You want and need your machine parts to last, which is why many professionals swear by nickel plating. With an extremely high melting point that’s magnetic at room temperature, nickel makes even simple machine parts more durable and less susceptible to damage. Read on to learn which type of nickel plating is right for your next project.

Different Types of Nickel Plating

1. Dull Nickel Plating

Ideal for machine parts, springs, and components that may need to be welded together, dull nickel plating involves electrically sputter coating nickel ions to a metal body. When the process is complete, the items look matte yet metallic, creating a great surface for applying additional metals. Dull nickel plating can also be used as an undercoating for parts that will be plated with gold, silver, chromium, and tin. 

2. Bright Nickel Plating 

Bright nickel plating involves transforming metal pieces into parts that are smooth and shiny. By passing an electrical current through the object, professionals use a nickel plating with a high sulfur content to create the shiny finish. Bright nickel plating is often used for tools, plumbing components, and lighting fixtures. 

3. Electroless Nickel Plating

If you’re looking for a finish brighter than dull nickel plating but not as shiny as bright plating, consider electroless nickel plating. Applied using an autocatalytic reaction, electroless nickel plating is commonly used to finish rotors, drive shafts, door knobs, and kitchen tools. This plating technique is also ideal for objects that are sensitive to electrical current, which is why it is used for some varieties of office and medical equipment. 

When you need top quality metal finishing and plating, turn to Porter-Guertin in Cincinnati, OH. Since their inception, this trusted business has helped their clients create corrosion resistant, functional, polished machine parts and custom metal pieces. Learn more about the specs that they follow by visiting their website, or give their office a call at (513) 241-7663.