On the Influence of Surfactant Incorporation during Electroless Nickel Plating

Abstract

The effects of surfactants on the dynamics and characteristics of plain and composite electroless nickel plating (ENP) are highlighted and discussed herein. An outline of the rudiments of surfactants and some underlying selection criteria is presented at the outset, before emphasis is laid on the salient benefits of introducing such external agents during the plating process. Evidence suggests that their influence on key coating characteristics such as the rate of deposition, structure, corrosion resistance, and the degree of second-phase particle incorporation into the nickel matrix is significant, and depending on the nature and concentration of surfactant employed, can be of immense value to the system.

A Zero-Emission Electroless Nickel Plating Bath

“…Its ability to produce uniform surface deposits with excellent wear, corrosion, fatigue and abrasion resistances has made it an attractive surface¯nishing technique actively employed in aerospace, automotive, chemical and electrical industries. 1,2 Popular EN plating bath consists of nickel sulfate, sodium hypophosphite, chelating agents and other additives. The EN plating process is¯nished by the reduction of nickel ion and the oxidation of hypophosphite.…”

Surfactant-Free Electroless Codeposition of Ni–P–MoS2/Al2O3 Composite Coatings

“…Surfactants (or surface active substances) are usually organic compounds that are amphiphilic. These lower the interfacial tension between particles and the EN solution by improving the wettability of particles [22]. These additives are very important in the incorporation of second phase particles, especially for water-repellent ones (e.g., MoS2, PTFE) [23].…”

“…These additives are very important in the incorporation of second phase particles, especially for water-repellent ones (e.g., MoS2, PTFE) [23]. Without them, these hydrophobic particles would not be well immersed in the EN plating solution [22][23][24].…”

Corrosion resistance evaluation of Ni‐P\nano‐ZrO2 composite coatings by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and machine vision method

“…Surface‐active compounds are typical components of suspension baths, they are added to enhance stability and prevent agglomeration of the second‐phase particles. Applications of such compounds have been described in the literature; sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) , cethyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) , dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) , dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride , 1,3‐toloyltriethanolammonium chloride , fluorosurfactants , or other various nonionic surfactants . Surfactants are responsible not only for uniformity, stability, and adsorption capacity in such colloidal systems, but also for the influence on the rate of deposition, structure, degree of second‐phase particle incorporation into the nickel matrix, phosphorus content, microhardness and corrosion resistance of coatings .…”