Electroless Plating Surface Finish Supplier In China
Electroless Plating is an autocatalytic chemical process that deposits a uniform layer of metal alloy, most commonly nickel-phosphorus, onto a substrate without the use of an electrical current. This method is renowned for its ability to create a perfectly even coating, even on complex internal geometries, providing exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion protection. As a leading technical supplier in China, Celerity Precision offers high-quality electroless nickel plating for components that demand superior protection and performance, ensuring every surface, nook, and cranny is flawlessly coated.
For a completely uniform, hard, and corrosion-resistant coating on your most complex parts, choose Celerity Precision as your electroless plating supplier.
Your Electroless Plating Finish Manufacturer
At Celerity Precision, we are a manufacturer that provides electroless plating as an engineered surface treatment, not just a finish. Our in-house chemical processing lines are managed with scientific precision. We meticulously control the chemistry, pH, and temperature of our electroless nickel baths to ensure the deposited layer has the exact phosphorus content required for your application—whether you need maximum hardness (low-phos), superior corrosion resistance (high-phos), or a balanced, bright finish (mid-phos). This level of control allows us to deliver a coating with predictable, repeatable performance characteristics.
Our key advantage as a direct manufacturer is our ability to manage the entire production process. We machine your parts to exact tolerances and then seamlessly perform the critical multi-stage surface preparation required for perfect plating adhesion. We understand that electroless plating is a solution for complex parts, and our expertise ensures uniform coverage inside deep bores, blind holes, and intricate channels where electrolytic plating cannot reach. Trust Celerity Precision to manufacture a complete component where the precision of the machining is matched by the uniformity and performance of the plated finish.
Don’t compromise on coverage or performance. Upload your project to Celerity Precision for a quote on fully manufactured and expertly plated components.
Electroless Plating: Technical Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Surface Roughness (Ra) | Follows Substrate. The plating is uniform and mirrors the underlying surface. A smooth machined part will result in a smooth plated part. It can slightly improve Ra on rougher surfaces but will not fill deep scratches. |
| Applicable Materials | Highly versatile. Can be applied to Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Brass, and Copper. |
| Cosmetic Availability | Excellent Functional Aesthetic. Provides a very clean, uniform, and bright metallic finish. While attractive, its primary purpose is functional. Different phosphorus levels can affect the brightness. |
| Visual Appearance | A bright, semi-bright, or dull metallic silver-grey appearance, similar to stainless steel. The finish is exceptionally uniform and continuous, with no variation in thickness, even on the most complex shapes. |
Advantages of Electroless Plating Surface Finish
Perfectly Uniform Coverage
The autocatalytic process ensures a completely uniform coating thickness over the entire part, including inside holes, threads, and complex internal geometries.
Superior Hardness and Wear Resistance
Electroless nickel is very hard (typically 45-60 HRC, can be heat-treated to ~70 HRC), providing excellent resistance to wear and abrasion.
Excellent Corrosion Protection
The dense, non-porous nickel-phosphorus layer provides a robust barrier against rust and chemical attack, especially with high-phosphorus formulations.
No Electrical Current Required
Eliminates the "dog-boning" effect (uneven buildup) seen in electroplating, ensuring sharp edges and complex features are coated evenly.
Excellent Adhesion
When applied over a properly prepared surface, the coating forms a very strong, reliable bond with the base material.
Solderability
Certain electroless nickel formulations provide an excellent, solderable surface for electronic components.
Electroless Plating Design Considerations
Coating Buildup
The process adds a uniform layer of material (typically 0.005mm to 0.025mm). This must be accounted for in the pre-plate dimensions for parts with tight tolerances, especially for internal features like holes.
Sharp Internal Corners
While the coating is uniform, very sharp internal corners can be a point of stress. A small radius is beneficial for coating durability.
Surface Preparation
The final quality is highly dependent on the cleanliness of the substrate. Our process includes meticulous cleaning, but the base material must be free of deep defects.
Cost Factor
Electroless plating is a more complex and costly process than standard electroplating or black oxide, but it is justified by its superior uniformity and performance on complex parts.
FAQ
What is the main difference between electroless plating and electroplating?
Electroless plating is a chemical process that deposits a uniform coating without electricity. Electroplating uses an electrical current, which can lead to uneven coating thickness, with more buildup on corners and edges.
How hard is electroless nickel?
As-plated, it’s typically around 45-55 HRC. It can be heat-treated (baked) to increase hardness to 65-70 HRC, similar to hardened tool steel.
Will it cover the inside of a long, small-diameter hole?
Yes, this is the primary advantage of electroless plating. As long as the chemical solution can flow through the feature, it will be coated uniformly.
How much size will it add to my part?
We can control the thickness very precisely. A standard coating is typically 0.01-0.015mm (10-15 microns). Please specify the required thickness on your drawing.
Is electroless nickel magnetic?
It depends on the phosphorus content. High-phosphorus EN is virtually non-magnetic, while low-phosphorus EN is magnetic.
Can you plate aluminum parts?
Yes, aluminum is a common substrate, but it requires a special pre-treatment step (like a zincate layer) to ensure proper adhesion, which we perform in-house.
What does "high-phos" or "mid-phos" mean?
This refers to the percentage of phosphorus in the nickel alloy. High-phosphorus (~10-13%) offers the best corrosion resistance. Mid-phosphorus (~6-9%) offers a bright finish and good all-around performance. Low-phosphorus (~2-5%) offers the highest hardness.
Will the plating fill in scratches on my part?
No, it is a conformal coating that will replicate the underlying surface. Scratches and machine marks will still be visible after plating.
Is electroless nickel plating RoHS compliant?
Yes, the standard nickel-phosphorus process is fully RoHS compliant.
How do I specify electroless plating on my drawing?
The best way is to be specific: “Electroless Nickel Plate per ASTM B733, 0.01-0.015mm thickness.” If you are unsure, “Electroless Nickel Plate” is a good start, and our engineers can help you choose the best type for your application.