Product category:
Plating and plating systems
News Release from: MacDermid | Subject: Lead- and cadmium-free electroless nickels
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 August 2006
Electroless nickels are lead- and
cadmium-free
Electroless nickels are free from lead and cadmium giving full compliance with the ELV, RoHs and WEEE directives, enabling automotive manufacturers to comply with current legislation.
Since Commercialisation in the early 1950's Electroless Nickel formulations have traditionally utilised small amounts of Lead and Cadmium salts as stabilisers and brightening components These co-deposit as metals within the Nickel Phosphorus alloy in parts per million concentrations and up until the introduction of the EOLVD, have not been a problem
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 19 Nov 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Most standard commercialised Electroless Nickel baths available today still contain lead and cadmium.
Typically, High Phosphorus EN deposits containing 10-13% phosphorus typically contain 250-350 ppm of Lead (0.025-0.035%) but would normally not contain Cadmium, whilst Medium Phosphorus deposits containing 6-9% phosphorus typically contain 500-650 ppm of Lead (0.05-0.065%) and 1000-1200 ppm of Cadmium (0.1-0.12%).
Niklad ELV additives and hence the resulting coatings do not contain any elements restricted by RoHS, WEEE and ELV directives.
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MacDermid's new water based coating technology will protects the substrate and the environment.
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Niklad ELV deposits being Lead and Cadmium free are ideal for recycling, meaning Automotive and Electronic manufacturers can be sure that they are complying with current legislation.
Electroless Nickel deposits are often chosen as engineering finishes as they provide properties that cannot be found in the underlying base material.
* Hardness and wear - the hardness values of the new and conventional deposits are essentially identical and fall within the ranges expected for the particular deposit phosphorus contents.
That is between 450-1000 HK100 depending upon the phosphorus content and post plate treatment.
Electroless Nickel coatings are very wear resistant due to the high hardness of the deposits, Niklad ELV are also similar to conventional systems as the wear is dependant on the phosphorus content and deposit thickness.
* Corrosion Resistance - the neutral salt spray resistance between conventional and lead- and cadmium-free deposits is also identical.
The NSS resistance depends upon the phosphorus content and thickness of the deposit rather than whether a deposit contains lead or cadmium, and can range from 24 to greater than 1000h.
One advantage with the lead- and cadmium-free systems may be better corrosion protection .
Lead and cadmium can and do cause edge pullback and skip plating that can result in corrosion failure.
* Phosphorus content - many of the new lead- and cadmium-free systems have the same basic formulation backbones as the conventional systems, the only differences being the types of stabilizers and additives.
As such, the phosphorus contents are comparable and behave similarly over a bath's life.
MacDermid have produced a full range of ELV Electroless Nickel chemistry covering all the standard levels of Phosphorus and so meeting the requirements of engineers to provide a deposit that gives the required properties such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance or high hardness.
* Niklad ELV 811 - igh Phosphorous Electroless Nickel deposits offer maximum corrosion resistance and protection.
Deposits contain between 10% and 13% phosphorous and meet the specification requirements of ISO4527, ASTM B-733 Type V, and AMS 2404.
The processes are well suited for high build applications giving a smooth, pore and pit-free finish.
* Niklad ELV 809 - edium Phosphorous Electroless Nickel deposits contain 6 to 9% phosphorous.
Medium Phosphorus deposits are the most widely used type providing good corrosion protection with superior wear and hardness properties that satisfies a broad range of engineering requirements.
* Niklad ELV 805 - Low/ Medium Phosphorus Electroless Nickel containing 4-6% phosphorus in the deposit offering maximum hardness and wear resistance.
* Advantages of Niklad ELV.
Lead and Cadmium free deposits.
Plates smooth, pit-free deposits.
Production proven process.
Meets or exceeds performance requirements outlined in specifications - GMW 3059, Ford WSD-M1P65B1 and B2, Chrysler PS5009, AMS 26074 (formerly MIL-C-26074), AMS 2404, ASTM B-733 and ISO 4527.
Outstanding stability, works well in stainless steel tanks and equipment.
The pH is self-regulating.
EDTA free chemistry.
Niklad ELV Electroless Nickels allows both OEMs and manufacturers to reliably meet current legislation that restricts Lead and Cadmium, without compromising deposits properties or performance. Request a free brochure from MacDermid ...
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