Chesterfield, UK- based CBE are offering electroless nickel plating as a solution for the space industry.
Electroless nickel plating is a chemical process that deposits a uniform nickel-phosphorous coating onto metal surfaces without the need for an electrical current. The process works though an autocatalytic chemical reaction whereby the metal surface itself catalyses the reduction of nickel ions from a solution to form an even layer of coating.
This coating can be applied to components of different shapes and sizes, including complex geometries that may be difficult to coat using conventional methods. Applicable for use by the space sector, this coating method delivers corrosion and wear-resistant coatings to improve durability, surface hardness and precision. Example applications for the space sector include those that require reliable thermal and electrical conduction, such as with heat sinks used in space to act as conductors, and for assemblies that have complex geometries yet must maintain dimensional stability in extreme conditions.
The advantages of the process include the delivery of consistent coverage on complex geometries where traditional methods may deliver uneven or incomplete coatings. Because the coating thickness can be precisely controlled (typically between 5 and 100 microns), this technique maintains tight dimensional tolerances with minimal post-processing. With a reduced risk of coating defects, the process is reproductible across multiple components.
You can find out more about this technology, which can lower manufacturing complexity and overall lifecycle costs for space systems, here: