Process description
Nickel is a transitory metallic element. It is very hard, malleable of a characteristic lustre. It is a metal characterised by ferromagnetic properties and a pretty good heat and electricity conduction. The crystallographic structure of nickel is the same as the structure of copper – regular and wall-centred. As regards chemical properties, nickel resembles iron, cobalt, copper and precious metals.
Nickel is used as protection from corrosion, since it is characterised by its property of spontaneous becoming covered with a passive oxide layer. Nickel layers must be impenetrable. In case of scratches, pores or cracks pit corrosion appears.
Nickel-plating is carried out in the fully automatic barrel line put in to service in November 2007
The most important product features:
- malleable of a characteristic lustre
- ferromagnetic properties and a pretty good heat and electricity conduction
- is used as protection from corrosion
Purposes of nickel layers:
- Sanitary fittings
- Electronics
- Elektrotechnics
- Telecommunications
Nickel layers are divided as follows:
- Dekoracyjno-ochronne powłoki niklowe
- These are protective layers with lustre and high smoothness. They are produced mainly on steel, brass, zinc and other surfaces.
- They may be produced in the following patterns:
- Single nickel layer
- Double nickel layer - nickel -chromium
- Triple nickel layer: copper - nickel - chromium
- The thickness of the layer is determined with accordance to its purpose, after the level of aggressiveness of the working environment has been estimated.
- Technical and protective nickel layers
- They are used in order to improve the practical properties of products, such as, for example: resistance to corrosion, mechanical wear and tear, hardness, and magnetic characteristics.
- According to the norm ISO/DIS 4526, technical layers are divided into the following categories:
- S- for layers not containing sulphur, produced in a bath that does not contain hardening additives, polish substances, anti-tension additives.
- B- for layers that are exposed to moderate temperatures, they may contain sulphur or other elements that increase their hardness, help produce fine-grained layers or control tension.
- W – for layers that do not contain sulphur but do contain other elements in order to improve their hardness and resistance to wear and tear in temperatures exceeding 325°C
(source: Galvanizer’s guide. WNT)