OAR Box 1313 

Preppedby LaTeiaShed 

Document Number: 

69) ll-B-43 

Docket Number: 

A-88-02 

Printed 6/12/2008 9:03:30 AM Sheet 69 of 99 

P.1 
P.2 

v?Ri® 

TI - B-U3 

A-88-02 

MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE 

S'jne 35' 

<101 Harrison Oaks Bouievan 

Carv. N.C 275'. 

;Ziz^ 

--I 

\\\ .—srw u 

Date: ' May 20, 1988 

(Finalized June 30, 1988) 

Subject: Site Visit—Universal Gym and Nissen Company (Universal), Cedar 

Rapids, Iowa 

Chromium Electroplating NESHAP 

EPA Contract 68-02-3817; ESD Project 85/02a 

MRI Project 7717-K ^~SX<X\ ^ "- " \ 

V-i'"-*' X~"-"~*~" . ''• 

From: Robin Barker 

To: Andrew M. Smith 

ESD/ISB/SSS (MD-13) 

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711 

I. Purpose 

The purpose of this site visit was to gather background information 

on the use of trivalent chromium as a replacement for the hevalent 

chromium process for decorative chromium electroplating (plating) 

operations. 

II. Place and Date 

Universal Gym and Nissen Company 

930 27th Avenue, S.W. 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405 

(319) 365-7561 

November 30, 1987 

III. Attendees 

Universal Gym and Nissen Company (Universal) 

Jim Howes, Plating Supervisor 

Midwest Research Institute (MRI) 

Robin Barker 

X 
P.3 

IV. Discussion 

A meeting was held with Mr. Howes of Universal to discuss the 

trivalent chromium plating operation. The discussion was followed by a 

tour of the facility. 

A. General 

Universal Gym is a manufacturer of gymnasium equipment and has a 

decorative chromium plating line that plates tubular steel. The plant 

converted from conventional hexavalent decorative chromium plating to the 

trivalent chromium process during the first week of November 1987. The 

plant also operates an electroless nickel process that is used to plate 

parts that require a high tolerance be met in uniform plating thickness. 

The plant operates 2 shifts/day, 5 to 6 days/week, 50 weeks/year. 

B. Process Description 

Each tubular steel part undergoes grinding, bending, and welding 

prior to chromium plating. The parts are then placed on racks and 

transferred through the plating line by a hand-operated hoist. The 

trivalent chromium plating line consists of the following tanks in 

series: (1) hot caustic soak; (2) electroclean; (3) two cold water 

rinses; (4) acid pickle; (5) cold water rinse; (6) electroclean; (7) two 

cold water rinses; (8) semibright nickel electroplate: (9) bright nickel 

electroplate; (10) two countercurrent cold water rinses; (11) two cold 

water rinses; (12) trivalent chromium electroplate; (13) two cold water 

rinses; (14) post dip; and (15) one hot water rinse. 

The trivalent chromium plating tank is 3.6 meters (m) (12 feet [ft]) 

long, 1.2 m (4.0 ft) wide, and 1.8 m (6.0 ft) deep and has a capacity of 

7,570 liters (2,000 gallons) of plating solution. The trivalent chromium 

plating tank holds one rack of parts at a time, and the plating time is 

approximately 3 to 4 minutes. The current and voltage typically range from 

800 to 2,800 amperes and 7 to 8 volts, respectively. 

The plating solution is Trimac Cr III manufactured by MacDermid, 

Inc. The plating solution contains about 5.24 grams per liter (g/a) 

0.7 ounce per gallon (oz/gal) of trivalent chromium. The process is a 

double-cell process which requires a physical separation of the anodes 

from the plating solution. Anode boxes lined with a permeable membrane 

are used to house the anodes. The anode boxes contain a 10 percent 

sulfuric acid solution that must be replenished once every 2 months. 

The hexavalent chronnum plating line formerly in operation at 

Universal differed from.the trivalent chromium plating line. The 

hexavalent chromium plating line had a 2 percent chromic acid pretreatment 

dip prior to the hexavalent chromium plating tank and five water rinses 

after the hexavalent chromium tank. The pretreatment tank was cleaned and 

the tank liner chemically leached and the tank was converted to a rinse 

tank in the trivalent chromium plating line. One of the water rinse tanks 

following the hexavalent chromium plating tank was drained and filled with 
P.4 

a postdip solution, which adds to the corrosion resistance of the part, 

during the trivalent chromium process conversion. Also, during the 

process conversion the hexavalent chromium tank was removed and replaced 

with a new tank for the trivalent chromium solution. The new tank was 

equipped with an ampere-hour meter that monitors the amount of current 

applied to the tank, which determines the frequency of maintenance 

additions. The ampere-hour meter was connected to a series of pumps that 

automatically add the required plating solution additions. The process 

conversion was completed in 4 days and took place over a weekend to 

minimize interrupting normal production. 

At the time of the site visit, the plating line had been operating 

for 4 weeks with no problems due to the process conversion. The trivalent 

chromium process had produced only one reject in 4 weeks of operation. 

Plant personnel displayed identical parts, one hexavalent chromium plated 

and the other trivalent chromium plated. The trivalent chromium-plated 

part had better coverage around the weld joints and did not have any 

whitewashing. The hexavalent chromium process was unable to cover the 

weld joints without causing whitewashing. The trivalent chromium process 

permitted the amount of current applied to the bath to be lowered from the 

3,000- to 4,500-ampere range required to hexavalent chromium-plate to a 

range of 800 to 2,800 amperes required to trivalent chromium-plate with a 

greater rack population. 

The need for plating bath maintenance checks increased for the 

trivalent chromium process over the hexavalent chromium process due to the 

sensitivity of the trivalent chromium bath to contamination. The routine 

checks for the trivalent chromium bath include control of the pH, 

brightener concentration, chromium concentration, surface tension, and 

specific gravity. Routine checks for the hexavalent chromium bath 

included control of the surface tension, specific gravity, and chromic 

acid-to-sulfuric acid ratio. The maintenance procedures in use at 

Universal for the trivalent chromium process are presented in 

Attachment 1. To prevent the buildup of metals that would contaminate the 

trivalent chromium bath, Universal operates the plating tank with dummy 

(nonproduct) parts for 30 minutes at the start of the day at low current 

densities, which causes the metal contaminants to plate out on the dummy 

part. 

C. Costs 

The annual costs for the trivalent chromium process are estimates 

based on information obtained during the first 2 to 3 months of 

operation. The annual costs for the hexavalent chromium process are based 

on average values obtained during the period of time the process was 

used. The following paragraDhs provide a comparison of the annual 

production costs for each process and the total capital cost of the 

process conversion from hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium. 

The chemical cost of hexavalent chromium bath was S0,0116/ftZ and 

the chemical cost of trivalent chromium bath is $0.02Q2/ftZ The fume 

suppressant chemical cost was reduced from $0.0015/ft" with hexavalent 

.-J 
P.5 

n 

chromium to $0.0001/ft' for trivalent chromium. However, the cost for 

replacement items increased from $500/yr with hexavalent chromium to 

$6,100/yr for trivalent chromium. Replacement items consist of anodes, 

chemical costs for passivation solutions, or any equipment or solution 

chemicals that need to be replaced or replenished for the trivalent 

chromium process to operate. 

Wastewater treatment costs were reduced after the conversion to 

trivalent chromium. The wastewater treatment chemical costs were reduced 

from $6,985/yr with hexavalent chromium to $299/yr (estimated) with 

trivalent chromium due to the elimination of hexavalent chromium reduction 

processes. The sludge disposal costs were decreased from $6,846/yr for 

hexavalent chromium to $569/yr for trivalent chromium because of the lower 

content of chromium in the wastewater. The hexavalent chromium 

concentration in the first stagnant rinse following the chromium plating 

tank averaged about 5.1 g/n (0.67 oz/gal), and the trivalent chromium 

concentration is averaging about 0.262 g/z (0.035 oz/gal). The rinse 

water in this tank is treated each day to maintain the concentration of 

chromium in the rinse water at or below these levels. 

The ^rivalent chromium process has increased productivity by 

160,000 ft /yr because of the increase in rack populations and the 

decrease in the number of rejected and reworked parts. The reject rate 

due to chromium plating was decreased from 0.25 percent with hexavalent 

chromium to essentially 0 percent with trivalent chromium. The cost of 

rejected parts was estimated to be $7.30/ft . The rework rate (parts that 

can be replated) was about 0.25 percent with hexavalent chromium and has 

decreased since the trivalent chromium bath has been operating. The exact 

decrease could not be determined because of the short period of time the 

trivalent chromium bath has been in operation. The cost of reworked parts 

was $2.45/ft with hexavalent chromium and has increased slightly with 

trivalent chromium; however, the exact cost is unknown. 

The plant also saves a significant amount of money by not having to 

operate the ventilation system. The ventilation system on the hexavalent 

chromium tank cost about $2,500/yr to maintain and Sll,350/yr for 

supplying the makeup air. The trivalent chromium bath is able to operate 

without a ventilation system. 

As a result of the decrease in the costs described above, the 

overall production cost has decreased from $0.056/ft for hexavalent 

chromium to $0.035/ft' f,or trivalent chromium. The production capacity of 

the plant2is 650,000 ft'/yr, so that on an annual basis the plant saves 

$0.021/ft or $13,650/yr by using trivalent chromium instead of hexavalent 

chromium. 

The total capital cost for the trivalent chromium conversion was 

$62,060. The individual components of the capital cost are presented in 

Table 1. 

f 
P.6 

TABLE 1. CAPITAL COST FOR TRIVALENT CHROMIUM CONVERSION AT 

UNIVERSAL GYM AND NISSEN COMPANY, CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA 

Component Cost data 

Equipment Costs 

1. Plating tank (12 ftx4 ftx6 ft), $a 6,150 

2. Passivation tank 

a. Capital cost of tank, $a 1,400 

b. Cost of initial solution makeup, $ 650 

3. Ampere-hour meter, $ 1,200 

4. Anodes and hangers, $ 2,895 

5. Automatic pH and temperature controllers, $ 2,025 

6. Filter system 3,800 

7. Anode boxes 15,860 

Subtotal 33,980 

Modification costs 

1. Tank cleaning, $b 2,000 

2. Plating line modification, $c 2,170 

3. Modifications to electrical supply, $ 100 

4. Modifications to cooling system, $ 400 

5. Disposal cost of Cr+ 6 solution, $d 9,450 

6. Initial cost of Cr+ plating solution makeup cost, $ 13,800 

Subtotal 27,920 

Installation costs, $e 5,160 

Total 67,060 

^Purchased new plating tank for trivalent chromium solution. 

•-Tank cleaning cost is due to the cleaning of other process tanks (rinse 

and predip) that had contained any amount of hexavalent chromium. 

^Any cost associated with adding the passivation tank to the plating line. 

dCost of disposal for 2,000 gallons of Cr+ 0 solution. 

eLabor hours = 430, Labor rate = $12/h. 

>5~ 
P.7 

V. Electroless Nickel Plating 

Mr. Howes provided the following background information on 

electroless nickel plating. Electroless nickel plating was originally 

developed as a replacement process for hard chromium electroplating. Even 

though the original intent for the development of electroless nickel 

plating was to replace the hard chromium plating process, the electroless 

nickel process is predominantly used for high tolerance parts where 

uniform plating thicknesses are needed. Typically, electroless nickel.is 

used to plate electronic parts and other parts where a high tolerance is 

needed. The main reasons why electroless nickel plating has not replaced 

hard chromium plating are: (1) the bath is more expensive to operate; and 

(2) parts that must be lubricated (e.g., hydraulic cylinders) when in use 

do not hold the lubricant as well if they are electroless nickel plated 

instead of hard chromium plated. 

The electroless nickel process at Universal is used to plate small 

machined steel parts that require uniform distribution of plating 

thickness as well as good corrosion resistance. The uniform plate 

thickness is critical because the parts are used in gym equipment where 

bearings must be able to slide up and down the length of the part. A 

conventional hard chromium plate will provide good corrosion resistance; 

however, the plate thickness is not uniformly distributed and the bearings 

placed around the part are unable to move freely because of the uneven 

plate thickness. The electroless nickel plating line at Universal 

consists of a series of cleaning steps (the same cleaning sequence as 

previously discussed for the trivalent chromium process), an acid pickle 

to activate the surface area of the part, rinsing followed by electroless 

nickel plating, and final rinsing. 

The electroless nickel plating tank used at Universal is 0.91 m 

(3.0 ft) long, 0.46 m (1.5 ft) wide, and 0.61 m (2 ft) deep. The plating 

tank holds 189 e, (50 gal) of plating solution and operates at a temperature of 88°C (190°F). The plating solution is EN-MAC® 57, manufactured by 

MacDermid, Inc. The deposition of nickel occurs from chemical reactions 

undergone in the bath and does not require an electrical current. Controlling the chemical constituents in the bath is critical to achieve the 

desired quality of the plate. Attachment 2 is the technical data sheet 

for the electroless nickel plating bath used at Universal. Attachment 3 

is a technical report that further describes the electroless nickel 

process. 

VI. Conclusions 

Plant personnel indicated that the trivalent chromium process has 

met all of their expectations because of the process improvements achieved 

by the process since it was installed. The plant personnel were very 

cooperative in supplying the process information and cost data for both 

the hexavalent and trivalent chromium processes. They also provided the 

information on electroless nickel plating so that this process could be 

considered as a replacement for hard chromium plating applications for 

certain types of parts. 

3 Attachments 
P.8 

Attachment 1 

1. C-3 

November

 10 

TRICHROME OPERATION AT UNIVERSAL 

I. DAILY 

A. Solution Analysis 

1. CR Metal 0.6 - 0.8 oz/gal 

2. Boric Acid 7.0 - 9.0 oz/gal 

It is best to maintain CR metal concentration on the 

low end of the range. 

3. PH 3.-* - 3.6 

25X NaOH to raise 

20X H2S04 to lower 

Do each as necessary SLOWLY 

4. Temperature 115° - 122° degrees 

5. Hydrogen Peroxide: 

Add 1 - 1 1/4 gals per day of operation at the end 

of the plating day. 

6. Solution Density 

Check with hydrometer at 122 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Maintain at 22.1 Be degrees. Add Trimac plating 

salts to raise. Sp. gr. and boric acid 

concentration. 

7. Run 

5 amp - 5 min hull cell on trichrome over nickel for 

evaluation and/or correction. 

8. Surface Tension 

A. Solution Maintenance 

1. Add Trimac Part //1 at a rate of 1 pint per 1000 amp 

hours. 

2. Add Trimac Part »2 at the rate of 1/2 pint per 1000 

amp hours. 

3- Add Trimac wetter at the rate of 50 mis per 1000 amp 

hours. 

*** This may be done also by adding the 8-hour 

equivalent at the beginning of each shift. 

4. Anolyte level to be maintained with adds of 10% 

H2S04. 

5. Spray stop R to anolyte as needed. 

6. Constant carbon filtration. 

7. Dummy at 20-40 ASF as Universal deems necessary. 

7 
P.9 

:. WEEKLY 

A. Change carbon pack on filter - replace with fresh 

carbon . 

B. Add 10% of the original make-up to the post dip, i.e., 

2 gals per week. 

C. Check and maintain predip pH at 8-9. 

* D. Send split sample of trimac plating solution to 

Waterbury Lab for analysis. 

II. EVERY TWO MONTHS 

A. Dump existing anolyte solution and make-up new with 10% 

sulfuric acid. Add 3 tablets spray stop R to each 

basket. 

• NOTE: Make fresh acid outside of baskets, allow to 

cool before placing it in baskets. 

IV. EVERY THREE MONTHS 

A. Dump post dip and make-up new with 1 1/2% Trimac post 

dip. 

V. OPTIONS 

1. Cycle to be determined by Universal regarding immersion 

time in post dip. 

i

7 
\f A '!"!.'.•» T . T c> 4 I.M,',..%. TS . rn a KZ-TZZT^r-T 

.ia.Xk.4\jL*l±. JiULl i UAX.A OOX«Cil 

P.10 

R 11/26/36 CODE 

SECTION 1 

Manufacturer's Name 

MacDermid Incorporated 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 

203-575-5700 

ADDRESS (Xumber, Street, City, State, Zip Code) 

526 Huntingdon Aveaue Waterbury. CT. 06708 

CFR-49 - DOT Proper Shipping Name ".'on tiazardous 

MFSA EMERCENCY 24 JOU 

H0TLi:*E: (MEDICAL) 

(313) - 644 - 5626 

CHEMICAL NAME AND SYNONYMS 

N/A 

TRADENAME AND SYNOirY 

Tri Mac

 ra Replenisher Pa 

CHEMICAL FAMILY . 

Wetting Agent 

FORMULA 

Mixture 

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS 

PAINTS, PRESERVATIVE 

& SOLVENTS N/A 

TLV (UNITS) ALLOYS & METALLIC 

COATINGS 

Z 

N/A 

TLV (UNITS 

PIGMENTS BASE METAL 

CATALYST ALLOYS 

VEHICLE METALLIC COATINGS 

SOLVENTS FILLER METAL PLUS 

OR CORE FLUX 

ADDITIVES OTHERS 

OTHERS 

HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OR OTHER LIQUIDS, SOLIDS, OR GASES TLV (UNITS 

Thiourea (62-56-6) Suspected carcinogen - NTP <1 

SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA 

BOILING POINT (F ) 

Unknovm 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H_0 = 1) 

1.0-

VAPOR PRESSURE (MM. HG.) PERCENT VOLATILE BY VOLUME ( 2 ) 

Unknown Unknow; 

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR =• 1) EVAPORATION RATE ( 1) 

Unknown Unknow. 

SOLUBILITY IN HAIER 

Soluble 

APPEARANCE AND ODOR 

Colorless liquid with no odor 

SECTION IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA 

-fcEfc- -BEi FLASH POIHT (METHOD USED) 

N/A 

FLAMMABLE LIMITS 

N/A 

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA 

Non-flammable 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES 

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS 

None known 

f 
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

P.11 

R 10/12/87 CODE 18207 

SECTION 1 L 

Manufacturer's Name 

MacDermid Incorporated 

ADDRESS (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code) 

526 Huntingdon Avenue Waterbury, CT. 06708 

CFR-49 - DOT Proper Shipping Name Chromic Sulfate Solution, 

ORM-E NA9100 

CHEMICAL NAME AND SYNONYMS 

N/A 

CHEMICAL FAMILY 

Acid 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 

203-575-5700 

MFSA EMERGENCY 24 HOUR 

HOTLINE: (MEDICAL) 

(313) - 644 - 5626 

TRADENAME AND SYNOMYM 

Tri Mac Replenisher Par 

FORMULA 1 

Mixture 

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS ' 

PAINTS, PRESERVATIVE 

& SOLVENTS 

PIGMENTS 

CATALYST 

VEHICLE 

SOLVENTS 

ADDITIVES 

OTHERS 

HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OR 

Z 

N/A 

•t 

n 

n 

n 

II 

it 

TLV (UHITS) 

OTHER LIQUIDS, SOLIDS, OR 

ALLOYS & METALLIC 

COATINGS 

BASE METAL 

ALLOYS 

METALLIC COATINGS 

FILLER METAL PLUS 

OR CORE FLUX 

OTHERS 

GASES 

Chromium Sulfate (10101-53-8) suspect carcinogen-IARC, NTP PEL - 1.0 mg/m*-

SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA 

BOILING POINT (F ) 

VAPOR PRESSURE (MM. HG.) 

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR -1 ) 

SOLUBILITY IN WATER 

220 

N/A 

N/A 

Complete 

Z 

N/A 

II 

•I 

II 

II 

II 

Z 

<30 

TLV (UHITS) 

TLV (UNITS) 

•5mg/m 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (HjO - 1) 

1.28 

PERCENT VOLATILE BY VOLUME ( Z ) 

Unknown 

EVAPORATION RATE ( = 1) 

Unknown 

PH 2.54 

APPEARANCE AND ODOR 

Liquid - Green - slightly acid odor 

SECTION TV = FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA 

FLASH POINT (METHOD USED) 1 FLAMMABLE LIMITS 

• N/A N/A 

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA 

Non-flammable 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES 

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS 

Unknown 

J& 
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

P.12 

R 10/24/86 A-01 CODE 18209 

SECTIOH I 

Manufacturer's Naae 

MacDermid Incorporated 

ADDRESS (Nuaber, Street, City, State, Zip Code) 

526 Huntingdon Avenue Waterbury, CT. 06708 

CFR-49 - DOT Proper Shipping Naae Combustible Liquid NOS 

(Contains Isopropanol) Combustible Liquid NA 1993 

CHEMTCAI. NAME AHD SYHONYMS 

N/A 

CHEMICAL FAMILY 

Alcohol Based Amine 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 

203-575-5700 

MFSA EMERGENCY 24 HOUR 

HOTLINE: (MEDICAL) 

(313) - 644 - 5626 

TRADE NAME AND SYNOMYM? 

Tri Mac Post Dip 

FORMULA 

Mixture 

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS 

PAINTS, PRESERVATIVE 

& SOLVENTS 

PIQIKNTS 

CATALYST 

VEHICLE 

SOLVENTS 

ADDITIVES 

OTHERS 

HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OR 

Z 

H/A 

H 

n 

it 

it 

OTHER HQ U 

TLV (UHITS) 

' 

ALLOYS & METALLIC 

COATINGS 

BASE METAL 

ALLOTS 

METALLIC COATINGS 

FILLER METAL PLUS 

OR CORE FLUX 

OTHERS 

IDS, SOLIDS, OR GASES 

Isopropanol (67-63-0) 

Alkyl Fatty Amine 

SECTIOH III - PHYSICAL DATA 

BOHJHG POIHT (F ) 

VAPOR PRESSURE (MM. HG.) 

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR » 1) 

SOLUBILITY IH WATER 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Soluble 

Z 

N/A 

ll 

ii 

it 

Z 

< 3" 

TLV (UNITS) 

TLV (UNITS) 

980 mg/M 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (HjO - 1) 

0.91 

PERCEHT VOLATILE BY VOLUME ( Z ) 

Unk nown 

EVAPORATION RATE ( - 1) 

Unk nown 

APPEARANCE AHD ODOR 

Clear, light brown liquid with little odor 

SECTIOH IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA 

FLASH POINT (METHOD USED) 

127 F/ 53 C 

FLAM4ABLE LIMITS 

Unknown 

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA 

Waterspray, dry chemical, C0„ 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES 

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS 

Flammable Liquid 

/f 
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

P.13 

- & 10/23/86 A-01 CODE 18206 

SECTION L 

Manufacturer's Naae 

MacDermid Incorporated 

ADDRESS (Nuaber, Street, City, State, Zip Code) 

526 Huntingdon Avenue Waterbury, CT. 06708 

CFR-49 - DOT Proper Shipping Naae Non Hazardous 

CHEMICAL NAME AHD SYNONYMS 

; N/A 

CHEMICAL FAMILY 

Wetting Agent 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 

203-575-5700 

MFSA EMERGENCY 24 HOUR 

HOTLINE: (MEDICAL) 

(313) - 644 - 5626 

TB APR NAW AND SYNOMYM 

TriMac ^^etter 

FORMULA 

Mixture 

SECTIOH II - HAZARDOUS IHGREDIENTS 

PAINTS, PRESERVATIVE 

& SOLVENTS 

PIGMEHTS 

CATALYST 

VEHICLE 

SOLVENTS 

ADDITIVES 

OTHERS 

HAZARDOUS MIXTURE'S OR' 

Z 

N/A 

• 

H 

H 

M 

It 

It 

OTHER LIQU 

TLV (UNITS) 

IDS, SOLIDS, OR 

ALLOYS & METALLIC 

COATINGS 

BASE METAL 

ALLOTS 

METALLIC COATINGS 

FILLER METAL PLUS 

OR CORK FLUX 

ormUts 

GASES 

Non Applicable 

SECTIOH III - PHYSICAL DATA 

BOILING POINT (F ) 

VAPOR PRESSURE (MM. HG.) 

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR - 1) 

SOLUBILITY IN WATER 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Soluble 

Z 

N/A 

ti 

•• 

Z 

TLV (UNITS) 

TLV (UNITS: 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H.O - 1) 

1.01 

PERCENT VOLATILE BY VOLUME ( Z ) 

Unknown 

EVAPORATION RATE ( - 1) 

Unk nown 

APPEARANCE AND ODOR 

Colorless liquid with no odor 

SECTIOH IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA 

FLASH POINT (METHOD USED) 

N/A 

FLAMMABLE LIMITS 

N/A 

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA 

Non-flammable 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTIHG PROCEDURES 

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS 

Unknown 

/o2 
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

P.M 

R 11/20/86 CODE 

SECTION 1 

'Manufacturer's 'lame 

MacDermid Incorporated 

ADDRESS ("lumber, Street, City, State, Zip Code) 

526 Huntingdon Avenue Waterbury, CT. 06708 

CFR-49 - DOT Proper Shipping Name '.'on Hazardous 

CHEMICAL NAME AND SYNONYMS 

N/A 

CHEMICAL FAMILY 

Organic Sulfonic Acids 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 

203-575-5700 

MFSA EMERGENCY 24 HOI 

HOTLINE: (MEDICAL) 

(313) - 644 - 5626 

TRADE^IAME A"JD SYNOM" 

Tri Mac -'* Carrier 

FORMULA 

Mixture 

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS 

PAINTS, PRESERVATIVE 

& SOLVENTS 

PIGMENTS 

CATALYST 

VEHICLE 

SOLVENTS 

ADDITIVES 

OTHERS 

Z 

N/A 

TM 

" 

" 

M 

•• 

" 

HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OR OTHER LIQU 

TLV (UNITS) ALLOYS & METALLIC 

COATINGS 

BASE METAL 

ALLOYS 

METALLIC COATINGS 

FILLER METAL PLUS 

OR CORE FLUX 

OTHERS 

IDS, SOLIDS, OR GASES 

Thiourea (52-56-6) Suspected carcinogen - (NTP) 

SECTION III - PHYSICAL DATA 

BOILING POINT (F ) 

VAPOR PRESSURE (MH. HG.) 

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR = 1) 

SOLUBILITY IN WATER 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Unknown 

Soluble 

K/.\ 

•• 

•• 

" 

•• 

•• 

7. 

<0.u 

TLV (U*%TT: 

TLV (UNIT ; 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H.O = 1) 

1 _ • 

PERCEIJT VOLATILE BY VOLUME ( Z ) 

L'rJkr.:;-

EVAPORATION RATE ( =1 ) 

pH 

kr.:*-

<',-

APPEARANCE AND ODOR 

Colorless liquid with no odor 

SECTION IV =• FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA 

FLASH POINT (METHOD USED) 

1,7 A 

FLAMMABLE LIMITS 

N/A 

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA 

Non-f lamina !J la 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES 

Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS 

None known 

UT.U Uf 

X3 
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 

P.15 

K. lU//.<WO O CODE 

SECTION 1 

Manufacturer's Naae 

MacDermid Incorporated 

ADDRESS (Nuaber, Street, City, State, Zip Code) 

526 Huntingdon Avenue Waterbury, CT. 06708 

CFR-49 - DOT Proper Shipping Naae 

Non Hazardous 

CHEMICAL NAME AND SYHOHYMS 

N/A 

CHEHTCAI. FAMILY 

Salts 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 

203-575-5700 

MFSA EMERGENCY 24 HOUR 

HOTLINE: (MEDICAL) 

(313) - 644 - 5626 

TRADE NAME AND SYHOMYMS 

TriMac Plating Salts 

FORMULA 

Mixture 

SECTIOH II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS 

PAINTS, PRESERVATIVE 

& SOLVENTS 

PIGMENTS 

CATALYST 

VEHICLE 

SOLVENTS 

ADDITIVES 

OTHERS 

Z 

N/A 

M 

n 

it 

it 

itii 

HAZARDOUS MIXTURES OR OTHER LIQU 

TLV (UHITS) ALLOYS & METALLIC 

COATINGS 

BASE.METAL 

ALLOYS 

METALLIC COATINGS 

FILLER METAL PLUS 

OR CORE FLUX 

OTHERS 

IDS, SOLIDS, OR GASES 

Non Applicable 

SECTION III — PHYSICAL DATA 

BOILING POINT (F ) 

VAPOR PRESSURE (MJ. HG.) 

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR » 1) 

SOLUBILITY IN WATER 

N/A 

- ...N/A 

N/A 

Soluble 

Z 

N/A 

it 

ii 

ii 

II 

•• 

Z. 

TLV (UNITS) 

TLV (UNITS) 

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (HjO - 1) 

N/A 

PERCENT VOLATILE BY VOLUME ( Z ) 

Unknown 

EVAPORATION RATE ( - 1) 

Unknown 

APPEARANCE AND ODOR 

White, odorless powder 

SECTIOH IV - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA 

FLASH POINT (METHOD USED) 

N/A 

FLAMMABLE LIMITS 

N/A 

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA 

Non flammable 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES 

Wear self-contained breathing aparatus. 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS 

None known 

/? 
P.16 

Attachment 2 

lYIaeDeri 

Incorpora t 

WATERBURY. 1^(5/570 

NO. ofl57 

EN-MAC* 57 

HIGB SPEED, ULTRA BRIGHT 

ELECTROLESS NICKEL 

39%3553 - LOS ANGELES. CA (213) 240-9573 

EN-MAC 57 is a high s 

This extremely stable 

deposit with exceptio 

abrasion resistance, 

variety of substrates 

aluminum, copper alio 

well as many other no 

make EN-MAC 57 ideal 

tions such as: jewel 

automotive and aircra 

parts. The EN-MAC 5 7 

hard chrome because o 

heat treatment. 

peed, ultra bright e 

system produces a u 

nal ductility, and o 

EN-MAC 57 has excel 

, including steel, i 

ys, nickel alloys, t 

n conductive surface 

for many decorative 

ry, mirrors, electro 

ft components and ma 

deposit is also an 

f the high hardness 

leet 

nif o 

utst 

lent 

ron, 

itan 

s. 

and 

nic 

ny o 

exce 

that 

roless nickel system, 

rm nickel phosphorus 

anding wear and 

adhesion on a wide 

stainless steel, 

ium, beryllium, as 

The above properties 

functional applicaparts, molds, 

ther industrial 

llent alternative to 

can be attained after 

Product Feature 

High rate of deposition 

for thick deposits 

Extremely bright deposit 

Excellent stability 

Minimal or no pitting 

with heavy deposits 

High tolerances to 

impurities 

Good Ductility 

Can be operated ammoniafree 

All components are Q.C.'d 

and supplied by MacDermid 

Customer Benefit 

• Saves plating time increasing productivity 

• More saleable product 

• Less down time 

• Fewer rejects 

• Longer bath life 

Plated parts can be flexed 

without cracking 

Minimizes rejects when 

plating Al substrates and 

increases bath life 

One source for all components makes trouble shooting 

and problem solving easier 

and quicker 

IMPORTANT: Please note Disclaimer on page 2. Also read carefully warning and safety information on the last page. 

This data sheet contains tecnnical information reauired for safe and economical ooeration of this product. READ IT THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO 

PRODUCT USE EMERGENCY DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE m.t s a (313) 644-5626. 

A" 
P.17 

OPERATING DATA 

Ihe EX-MAC 5" '.'lira Bright Electroless :i:c<el 5 y s t e *-. ::: 

three liquid concentrates. 

EN-MAC 57 (13057) and EN-MAC 55 Starter t. 15 0 5 3 > are use; 

up. 

EN-MAC 57 and EN-MAC 59 Reducer (13059) are used for 

replenishment. 

SOLUTION MAKE-UP 

gallons per fl. oz. per ml/per 

100 gallons gallons liter 

EN-MAC 57 5.0 6.4 50 

EN-MAC 58 Starter 15.0 19.2 150 

D.I. or Distilled 

Water 80.0 102.4 300 

To make up the required amount of operating solution proceed as 

follows: 

1. Rinse tank thoroughly with D.I. or Distilled water. 

2. Partially fill tank with D.I. or Distilled water. 

3. Add required amounts of EN-MAC 57 and EN-MAC 58 Starter 

with air or mechanical agitation and fill to working 

volume with D.I. or Distilled water. 

4. Heat solution to 180-190°F (82-80°C). Check pH and 

adjust if necessary. 

EQUIPMENT: 

Glass, PVC, or polyethylene lined stainless steel tanks are preferred. Stainless steel should be passivated with 50-50 nitric 

acid before use. A dual tank system is preferred as well as 

indirect heating. 

Page 3 of 10 MacDermid Incorporated 

EN-MAC 57 High Speed, Ultra Bright Electroless Nickel 

/ <* 
P.18 

o 

-i O.IM 

c.D.T.A. 

f 10.2 

10.0 

9.8 

9.6 

9.4 

9.2 

9.0 

8.8 

8.6 

8.4 

8.2 

S.0 

7.5 

7.0 

6.5 

% Nickel 

Present 

100 

97.5 

95.6 

93.6 

91.7 

89.7 

87.8 

85.8 

83.9 

81.9 

80.0 

78Z0 

73.1 

63.3 

63.4 

Nickel Metal 

oz./cal (g/l) 

0.80 

0.73 

0.76 

0.75 

0.73 

0.72 

0.70 

0.68 

0.67 

0.66 

0.64 

0.62 

0.59 

0.55 

0.51 

(6.0) 

(5.8) 

(5.7) 

(5.6) 

(5.5) 

(5.3) 

(5.2) 

(5.1) 

(5.0) 

(4.9) 

(4.8) 

(4.6) 

(4.4) 

(4.1) 

(3.8) 

EN-MAC : 

fl.cz./-

1.6 

3.2 

4.0 

5. 6 

6.4 

8.0 

9.6 

10.4 

11.2 

12.8 

14.4 

16.8 

20.0 

23.2 

-

0 cai(ml/l) 

(1.2) 

(2.5) 

(3.1) 

(4.4) 

(5.0) 

(6.2) 

(7.5) 

(8.1) 

(8.7) 

(10.0) 

(11.2) 

(13.1) 

(15.6) 

(18.1) 

-••-•. : 1, " 

nl.cz.. 

3.2 

6.4 

8.0 

11.2 

12.8 

1 r x. 

1 0 . u 

19.2 

20.8 

22.4 

25.6 

28.3 

33.6 

40.0 

46. 1 

* "• "*•«•. -J , 

v 2 . 5 ) 

' 5 . C-) 

•5.2) -

(3.7) 

( 1G . 0 ) 

(12.5) 

(15.0) 

(16.2) 

(17.5) 

(20.0) 

(22.5) 

(26.2) 

(31.2) 

(36.3) 

— •» V 

~ ^ 

Maintenance of nickel between 90-100% will provide consistent deposit 

quality, brightness and plating rate. 

Note: Do not make more than a 20% addition at one time. 

All replenishment additions should be done with agitation 

Page 5 of 10 MacDermid Incorporated 

EN-MAC 57 High Speed, Ultra Bright Electroless Nickel 

'? 
P.19 

TYPICAL CYCLE (cont'd) 

Stee. 

3. Electroclean with Metex Alum inurn Acid Electrc c lean vicr. 

Metex M-2S32, 1-3 Etch 15% cy vol. Metex E-172c, i; cz. 

lbs./gal. (120-360 153°F (66°C), 2 min. sal. \~5 z; 1), 1;0-? 

g/l) 190°F (33°C) (TDS# 2513) (32°C), 3-5 -ir*. 

1-3 min.(TDS# 2832) (TDS? 0226) 

4. Cold Water Rinse Cold Water Rinse Cold Watar Rinse 

5. Activate with Metex Desmut with Metex De- Activate with Metex 

M-629 acid salt, 1 oxider 2627, 1 lb./gal. M-629 acid salt, 1 

lb./gal. (20 g/l), (120 g/l),70°F (24°C) lb./gal. (20 g/l), 

75°F (24°C),10 sec. 2-8 min. (TDS# 2627) 75°F (24°C),iO sec. 

-2 min.(TDS# 3001) -2 min. (TDS# 3001) 

6. Cold Water Rinse Cold Water Rinse Cold Water Rinse 

7. EN-MAC 57 Cold Water Rinse EN-MAC 57 

Electroless Nickel Electroless Nickel 

3. Cold Water Rinse *MacDermid 6311 Alloy Cold Water Rinse 

Zincate, 25% by vol., 

75°F (24°C),30 sec. 

(TDS# 6811) 

9. Warm Water Rinse Cold Water Rinse Warm Water Rinse 

with Metex 9898 with Metex 9393 

water shedder water shedder 

(TDS# 9898) (TDS# 9898) 

10. Dry Cold Water Rinse Dry 

11. EN-MAC 5 7 

Electroless Nickel 

12. Cold Water Rinse 

13. Warm Water Rinse 

with Metex 9898 

water shedder 

(TDS# 9898) 

14. Dry 

*Difficult to plate alloys may require double zincating. This is 

accomplished by removal of the initial zinc deposit in nitric acid 

follwed by re-application of the 6811 alloy zincate. 

Page 7 of 10 MacDermid Incorporated 

EN-MAC 57 High Speed, Ultra Bright Electroless Nickel 

/f 
P.20 

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 

PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY 

Rapid pH change 

Low deposition 

rate 

Nickel seeding 

No deposition 

Dark deposits 

Orag in of acid or 

alkali. 

Excessive workload. 

High temperature. 

Low hypophosphite. 

Low nickel content. 

Low temperature. 

Low pH. 

Poor surface 

preparation. 

Old used bath. 

Metallic contamination. 

Low loading. 

Hot spots. 

Rough tank spots. 

Improper passivation. 

Improper surface. 

Low temperature or pH. 

Low EN-MAC 59 Reducer 

Metallic impurities. 

Organic impurities. 

Low metal or low 

hypophosphite. 

Improper surface 

preparation. 

Metallic impurities. 

Organic impurities. 

Staining. 

Correct 'insina. 

Reduce workload. 

Reduce temperature. 

Analyze and correct. 

Analyze and correct. 

Raise temperature. 

Measure and correct. 

Correct cycle. 

Discard part of bath. 

Dummy bath. 

Increase workload. 

Correct heating. 

Smooth rough areas. 

Passivate equipment. 

Correct cycle. 

Measure and correct. 

Analyze and correct. 

Dummy plate. 

Carbon treat. 

Analyze and correct. 

Correct cycle. 

Dummy plate. 

Carbon treat. 

Improve rinsing. 

WASTE TREATMENT 

Solution of EN-MAC 57 contain nickel metal and are acidic. These 

solutions must be treated for removal of nickel metal and pH adjusted 

prior to discharging them into a sewage system. Consult MacDermid's 

Technical Service for more detailed information. Contact local agencies 

with regard to regulations concerning the discharge of nickel and its 

disposal. 

STANDARD PACKAGE: 5 gallon and 55 gallon containers 

MACDERMID INCORPORATED 

WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT 

Page 9 of 10 - 4/18/86 

EN-MAC 57 High Speed, Ultra 3right Electroless Nickel 

This data sheet is a revision of Issue DM-B, which is now obsolete and 

should be destroyed. 

EN-MAC is a registered trademark of MacDermid Incorporated. 

/f 
P.21 

The Engineering Properties of 

ELECTROLESS 

NICKEL DEPOSITS 

inco 

<ZO 
THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIESOF ELECTROLESS NICKEL DEPOSITS 

INTRODUCTION 

I i't" '-.'Mil 'eleclioless piOCCss ' I- i!-cd i ' Jj'C'iOC 

.nctliods '.'l plating In means m chemicai reduction. 

I!u l is l o viv . electroless nickel is produced bv reducing 

Mav l ii'i?.- Imu i solutions which CUIIIJII I phosphite. 

iiii i I. vdia/u:e compounds. Hectroless plating dn -

e i- HI ••.-ii.- significant respect iro m jl l the other chemical 

plating pioccdures in iliai :i is the only chemical planus! 

i>i.>eess winch does noi depend on the presence ol a 

."ipl e between galvanically dissimilar melals. 

Allov s o| nickel and phosphorus are obuine d wil h 

phosphite MIIS. The phosphorus content can be varied, 

.oiuialiv between J and I 2 percent, (o contro l strength, 

ductilitv . stress, magnetic properties and structure, High 

pliosphni u- contents obtained in solutions wit h a low 

pit .md a lne.li t.ilio ol phosplule lo nickel ions t.ivoi 

high -itcngth and low stress I lie allovs aie stipcisaiui.rc J solid solulionso l nickel phosphide in nickel. 

Nickel phosphide can lie piecipn.ileJ I n hc-.il treatr.u:A wliid i haiJeus tiie Jcposil about Iwolold . I"!• i> 

. ;ji'.m' i -iie-s low.iid the ICIIMIC diichoi i l.'i dcimsiis 

•; -K . • a i.J othei sub-tiales with low expansion e"Cl 11-

cietits. Ihe sitetmih and ductilit y i.| alloys c.iitaiiii.'n: 

iess than '• percent pliosphoius are increased by heal 

treatment, bul higher piiosphorus-nickel ratios ate :•-'• 

Juced in iiiength and ductility . 

Hardness is not allecled by the phosphorus content 

in the taiige ol' " to I I percent, either heiure or alter 

heat ireatment al "5 0 F (400 Cl . Only the highphosphorus alloys retain high hardness alter heat heating at UUU or I 4""0 F (60 0 or .SOOO. Treatment at 

" 5 0 F (400 C l maxnni/.es hardness. To niminn/.e stress, a 

phosphorus content of I I percent appears best. Heat 

ireatmeiu at I 2*»(J lo 1470 F (700 to KOO (') is usually 

employed to avoid or minimize a loss in the latigue 

strength ol high-strength steel plated wit h electroless 

nickel. Atlc r heal ireatment al high temperalute. ailovs 

wit h at least

 l* pcicenl phosphorus consist o l nickel 

dispersed ni a mal m ol nickel phosphide. Alloys wil h 

ie--s than ~ peicenl phosphorus are a dispersion ol nickel 

phosphide in nickel. Iligh-lemperalure heal treaiment 

improves the corrosion resistance ol electroless nickelplated steel. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

APPL'CATION S . 

r.-vSlC.AL PROPERTIES 

p .... . 

'•'.er :.;

 D

- OiH-'l tlrrS 

F'e.i i -^ .ii ?'• upei tics . 

'.'j.j.-ie!:.. °-"perties . . 

•ECHANI . AL PROPERTIES ... . 

Strnngth anti Ductilit y 

Hardness 

RfSislome to Wear and Fiiction 

Internal Stress 

5 

5 

7 

11 

11 

;

c

rEC T OF ELECTROLESS NICKE L COATINGS 

Jr. THE -AflGU E STRENGT H OF STEEL ; 1 

' H E CORROSION RESISTANCE OF STEEL COATE D 

/.IT H ELEC I ROLESS NICKEL DEPOSITS 

STHuCTLiRE 

f-l E F E r\ ~ •' vi. E S . 

13 

14 

20 

-V. 
P.23 

APPLICATIONS 

Numerous applications have been'deveiojvJ !•" eiectiu-

';•> Mickel Jeposns in ihe past. The I'uiure ,... A.s bu-yu 

:7r continued erowlh where economic adv.iiiiage van hc 

made ol the resistance of the coaling to .ihrasuni. wear, 

fric:.on and/or corrosion. 

l-iectroiess nickel deposits have been used lor lanK 

ear interiors l o handle a variety of liquids which would 

be contaminated by contact wit h steel, or which are 

corrosive to steel. Electroless nickel deposits also lind 

wide application in rocketry and missiles, jet engines, oi l 

refineries, handling o f petroleum products, handling ol 

nuclear fuels and heal transfer lluids. Piping and condensins; towers for solvent extraction can be coaled wit h 

electroless nickel lo inhibit corrosion and erosion. A 

coating o f electroless nickel can be utili/ed to inhibit 

stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel and titanium 

alloys. 

t haracten/.ed bv high hardness, electroless nickel 

deposits find use in increasing the hie ol pumps, compressors arid similar equipment. Dies used I'm extruding 

and rnoidini! plashes or casting zinc alloys can be coated 

with electroless nickel in inhibit erosion. For die casting, 

the low thermal conductivit y ol electroless nickel (relative to that for die steels) mav be an advantage lor 

inhibit mg premature freezing of the zinc alloy ont o the 

die cavitv surfaces. In cast-iron molds lor making glass, 

electroless nickel deposits can preveru sticking and ease 

release u f the glassware fro m the mold . 

Automotiv e applications of electroless nickel deposits on steel include ball studs, transmission thrust 

washers and differential pinion cross shafts. In these 

applications, electroless nickel is used primal iiv lo reduce 'jallinL'-tvpe wear. 

Solderability of aluminum products is enhanced 

when (hey are coated wit h electron s nickel. 

The low coereivity of electroless nickel-phosphorus 

and nickel-cobail-phosphorus alloys, and ihe relationship 

of iheir remanent and saiuraiion magnetic lorces. can be 

utilized for fast-switching memory devices in computerTlie metallization of non-conducting surfaces, winch has 

a vital role in the plating ot plastics, is another widespread use I'or electroless nickel deposits. 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES 

Brenner initiated the measurement of properties . i 

electroless nickel deposits in 1447. He reported hardness 

values of 425 Knoo p for a nickel-phosphorus alloy deposhed in an alkaline citrate bath. 500 Knoop lor an 

allov produced in an acid citrate solution and .v"0 

Knoo p for an allov deposited in an ummoniacal hath. 

The increase in hardness resulting from heal Heating was 

ascribed to the precipitation of phosphides. 

Sodium hypophosphite is ihe most common agent 

for reducing nickel ions to metal, bul several reports 

refer io the use of hydrazine or sodium borohydride. 

More propert y data have been reported lor the nickelI'l. i-tllio ; Li> i . \ . .,-. ;s .viv a ; ; ;• • 

N.'.liinu iiv ifciph...:'u.ic :!:::: ' •• e...;i • ••• 

piodiiced wi' h -'Ihe: reducine, .:cci:'.s I he ;-ii • :• •' . 

..i-nle'.t v ol ibe .!e:>isils fi 'in M-liii'-•••• •..•'• ' 

»nli;iii i h'.'p'>phi.»iiiu(e '.isiiailv ranee •' '" .! ' ' i .' :'-.' 

cent, bm v.iiK'iniii' i icjc h TO peicr. ' \ ' J' I ."!••!.:: 

ratio oi hv |*'ph.ophite and nickel ions I >. ' "-*i •• .i ., 

low pl l t< 4 "i !JV.-.I ,i !ngh phosphor-- ...iretr •: '•• I " 

percent '"' 

Density 

The density ol electroless nickel is pu<fv•• t •• <it.il u> 

the phosphorus content, as shown in lieur e I Ihe 

density of t ics. Im less nickel is slightly lowci ihan :he 

calculated value for mixtures ><)' nickel aiul Ni ,P. 

whereas the density o f cU\ tr.<,lcf-ss.i!isl i.icseiphosphorus allovs is slightly higher than the calculaied 

value. Densities m"

 7

. " to X.I g.cu cm weie reported foi 

alloys coniaining ?> lo •> percem phosphorus, as shown u 

Table I. Allovs coniaining 5 lo n percent phosphorus 

have a densilv o! "s 25 .^-^n t - m f| k . J^IIMI V o! „• •.•.IM -

less nickel containing about .' peieeni nhosphonis is > ' 

e. sru cm. 

"*• rso^o-vrt Co"*^: .seer ' 

l-iimr v 1-Heiisii; . ..: S:.Lei-l , , i.is|.|ii.r. ; , \I'• • v , ,. . I 

• ' :l v riii>s|i|ii>rus ( ...TIITII 

&j3~ 
Die amount oi occluded compounds in eiectroic-.s Jet:.-.::-. •: .-ie.'.:'.less nickei teduced with livdu/ine was 

nickel must be lairlv small, as indicated bv anaivticai lowered ir.jm v 5 io ~.

1

' <j cu cm uoon heat I rea Idaia lor caibon. o\ygen and hvdiogeu winch totaled "lent. '" ' It contained an appreciable amount oi ovides 

<-0 5 percent.10' One investigaloi repi>ned a slight it) LN to •)•*•• percent oxygenl. 

inciejse in densilv as a resuit of heat tieatmenl.' 1 0 ' The 

TABLE 1. 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ELECTROLESS NICKELProperty Value as a Function 

uf Phosphorus Content 

Property i'.'i P 5-6"; P X-9'' P Supplemental Data 

I'cusiiv.ecm3 >.5:,4» ^:5 , 4 ) "..s5l 5-

0 , .-.'i(;, .;s.l ' 4 |

 (al.(bl. (c). IJI 

ihl.lil . (ji l;es:i:calies,s|,v,tv. .n)-e

> -: ( , ) *M o .^'-'.H-'V'. ! |ij<9) 

:;!:c:. oiim-v ni 

Iheinul coii.liuliviiy. No data No daia O.OI 05 lo O.L) I }S' 

v.l1 sill w c (' 

( oei:icteni ol thennal No da u No data I .''* " .15 5 to I 4.5( 9 ) 10.45/am/m.( was 

espaiis.nii. ^m ill ( reported h i one 

deposit. no I* 

content was 

„ven<1 C ' 

11 impuritii-s u; eiectioless nickel containing S'; I' with a density ot 7.«5 g cm" included U.U4'".' C. 0.001 b ' IIV uou : ' ().,. a:,d "0U0 5 ; N'.

 ;'-' 

mi I :..- .lens'lv ol .i mckcl-phosphoiusaili.lv was increased fioitt "."2 :o 7.".". g cm bv heal '.reating

 ,10 1 

. i I !;e Jetisitv ..| e!ecl:oie>.s nickel leduced witii hv di aziue was reduced iiom -Y 5 to " •> ge m by liclin g a; |4(j(lF 

i '•• • i t 

v j:.d ti.i.'.' P. Ileatine convened buttle lo Juciile deuosits 

''" ' The deposits contained •> 04 • C . U.OU." !•• J.007".' II, .J t.r- :.. O.-ii-- ' O, . U."4 to U.2"' N',. S) UO.' 

U i I -Icitoicss nickel coniaining 7.5'. I' had a density ol ,Y I *" g ..ill .''*' 

Ui I Icc'.iodcposited allov containing 1.2''- I' '*" 

I :I Kejiiodcposited alloy coniaining"' ' P tJI 

i e i I ieJtiodeposiied alloy coiitaiuing 15' P. 

itii I i..n nlnis U4-.U* mils (I 1st 1 _u.::) exhibited a lesisiiviiv of 55 to n* mien., liim-cni. in comparison wilh .4 mils 

i "•' to "* microohm-cni foi 10 ml coatings containing " to I U' ' P.1 

i:i Ihe les.stivilv ol nickel-phosphorus alloy produced :n alkaline solutions was only "S to 54 microohm-v.m. :n 

..•n.paiiM'ii wuli 51 lo 5X micioohtn cm lor alloys deposited in acid baths. 

HI 1 lie lesisiiviiv oi an electrviless nickel coaling with an uiispecilicd phosphuius content was reduced Hum ll'0 lo 

I '5 nucihoohm-cm bv heat treating.-' 

«3L? 
P.25 

TABLE 2. 

COERCIVITY OF ELECTROLESS NICKEL AND NICKEL-COBALT ALLOY 

Phosphorus 

Content. 

percent 

I Nickel 

<0.5 

5.0 to n.O 

5.0 to 6.0 

3.5 

7.0 ' 

8.6 

Ca 9 

9.6 

10.0 io 17.0 

15.0 to 18.0 

Coercivity. oersteds 

No Heat 

Treatment 

14 to 22 

10 io 20 

50 lo X0 

50 

~t 

1.4 

No daia 

<0.1 

0 

0 

II Nickel-Cobalt Alloy 

1.0 to 2.0 

:.o 

<5. 0 

5.0 

> ^ 

6.9 

2 to X 

<5. 0 

1 l„4 U I 

slmi 

4.5 

0.14 

Heat Treated 

660 F (350 

.No data 

No data 

No daia 

t>0 

110 

125 

325 

150 

No daia 

N'o data 

No daia 

No data 

No data 

No data 

No data 

N'o data 

at 

Cl 

Squareness 

of Hysteresis 

Loop (Br/ B m ) 

()l)s(b l 

No daia 

No daia 

<0. l 

0.7 

0.5 

No da u 

<0. 4 

<0. 4 

<0. 4 

No data 

No data 

No data 

0.10 

0.50 

Solution 

NiS0 4 . M 

o.Z" 

0.I2 (* ' 

O.I2 k l 

O.I3 , d l 

O.O" 1 0 ' 

O.IKZ'1 

o.u"'1 

0.04 , e ) 

0.12'? ' 

0.033'' " 

OO"' 1' 

oo:'1' 

no"'1' 

0.02"" " 

0.0(., ( " 

O.I.*'P» 

Composition 

NaH 2 P 0 2 . M 

None 1" 

0.1 " 

0 1" 

0 0"5 

0.1 " 

0.1 " 

0.0"5 

0.1 " 

O.l " 

o.o1'-* 

III 

1) 14 

III 

(ul 

0.1 " 

0 1" 

Opera 

pH 

" I 1 

NO 

".1 

S " 

x 5 

s.5 

S.v) 

s.5 

S - " 

S-0 

M l 1 

n (1 

S (1 

s 5 

".5 

. i < 

ine (nm ill.Ill s 

Temperature* 

F . C 

j-I S 

l u i 

111.') 

I"4 

i M 

l"4 

lull 

| 'U 

!•.() 

1 7 " 

•wi. "i 1 ! 

i M 

! "i . 

I " l 

1 * 

"1 

- 1 

"(1 

o i l 

O l! 

"1 

"(' 

"1 

,N ^ 

"'.O' S 

"II 

Ml 

'(I 

I'elereiic i 

i". l ' 

1

 \ 

Is 

1" 

1" 

1 ' 

'• 1 

1" 

I.s 

1* 

. 1 

2 J 

• • • 

j ; 

(al This solution contained 0.2 M NiCI 2 . 0.2 M NI' 2 C 4 I I 4 0 6 . and 1 0 M hydrazine 

(b) Saturation magneiization was

 lW/r of thai of bulk, wroughi nickel. The thickness of these iilm* i.ineed 'imn 

1.000 to 2.000 angstroms. 

(c) This solution contained 0.12 M NiS') 4 . 0.1 " or 0.75 M (NH ) 2SO,. (112 M Na,(' 11,0.. and ni " \| 

NaH2P2 07 . 

(d) This solution was prepared with NiCU and also contained 0.4X M NH4("I and 0.1 7 M N.i-('H-0 -

(el This solution was prepared with NiCU and also contained 0.4X M NH.CI and 0.5 M N.t,( ,11,0 . 

(f) This solution contained 0.13 M N'iCI,. 0>5 M NH4C'I. 0.54 M Na3C' 6 ll 5 f" 7 . and D.O"' M NalljPO.,. 

'gl This solution contained 0.72 M NiS04 . 0.12 M N'a3C' 6 l' 5 07 . and U.I" M NaH,PO,. 

(h) This solution contained 0.033 M NiS04 . 0.5 M N'a3C6H5 07 . 0.0"5 M Nall,PO,. and 0.4 M N'a-,B407. 

(,) This solution contained 0.09 M N.S04 . 0.065 M CoS04 . 0.2S M N:i 3C-H5 07 . (I 5 M (NH 4 l 2S 0 4 . a:-d 0 2"* M 

H3P02 . The deposits contained 40 to SC** cobalt, 

(j) This solution contained about 0.07 M NiCI 2 . 0.06 M CoCI,. 0.17 M Na 3 C 6 l l 5 0 7 . 0."5 M NII 4CI. ..nd 0.14 U 

NaH2P02 . The deposits contained 15 to 337* cobait. 

Ik) Coercivity decreased with thickness from 4 oersteds at 2.1)0 A to I oersted at 7.<s00 angstroms. 

(I) This solution contained 0.095 M NiS04 . 0 065 M CoS04 . 0.5 M <NH4 ).,S04 . Q.2~> M N:i 3C6H5 0... and 0 2* M 

H,P02 . The cobalt content was about 507*. 

(m) Coercivity increased to I 2 oersteds as film thickness increased from 500 lo 5.000 angstroms. The alloy deposits 

contained about 4(/* cobalt. 

(n) This solution contained 0.027 M NiSO.. 0.018 M Co SO 0.07 S| NJ,C,H,0 7 . Ol o M (Nil ,U.S(>4. .md 4 

ml/l H3P02 . 

6"5"-

lo) This solulion jonlaincd 0.06 M NiCI 2 . U.54 M NaX^I^ . 0."5 SI NH4 ('I. and 0.1 " SI NaH,PO, The c-baii 

content of the deposit was 57.577 

(p) This solulion contained 0.06 M NiCI,. 0.54 SI Na3C' 6H5 07 . 0."5 M NH4 ("I. and 0.1 " M N.dUPO^. I'he cobalt 

content o( the deposit was 237c. 

Af 
Thermal Properties 

The (hernial conductivity ol " pcicenl phosphorus 

electroless nickel alloy ranges from 0.0105 tv) 0.0135 

s.ai ciii/secC.'" 1 which is about one-hall that oi pure 

melallurgical nickel. Coefficients s\( thermal expansion 

vd the nickel-phosphorus alloys are lower than elecirodepusiied nickel (13 to 14.5 /jm/ui/C. in comparison 

* u h 14 to P/Ltm.-m I'l.'- 7-

9

' 

Electrical Properties 

The conductivity s\i electroless nickel ranges froin 

1.0 to 5." percent IACS. depending on the phosphorus 

content. The elect!ical resistivities (Table I) o l alloys 

v.•nlaiiuug X lo 9 percent phosphorus are nearly 10 

times the resistivity o f pure metallurgical nickel whic h is 

" 5 micioohm-cm . A reduction ol resistivity occurs alter 

heat treating." 0' Ihe resistivity of au electrodeposiled 

alloy containing 7 percent phosphorus is reduced fro m 

*2 lo aboui 20microohm-cni by heal treating al I I 10 F 

KiULH I.'"" A resistivuy of only 15 to 15 niicroohm-cm 

•vas ic|»uic d loi electioless nivkel containing 1 ..i or 4. " 

[vrceiit boio n lhat had been reduced with dimethylainme bmane. 1

' '" The icsistivity ol a nickel alloy contauung O.o percent boron was only 5.5 microolim-cm. 

whiJ i is lower than handbook values for high-purily 

nickel. Ihe boion-dopcd nickel corresponds to n-type. 

whereas phosphorus nickel is p-'ype. 1'^ ' 

Magneti c Propertie s 

Hectioless nickel deposits produced in alkaline 

solutions and containing " to IX percent phosphorus 

exhibited a coercivity nl 2 oersieds or less, as shown in 

Table 2. Li-ercivity values ot 10 to 30 oersteds were 

icimrte d for some deposits containing 3 to b percent 

phosphorus. Others ranged in coercivity fro m 50 to SO 

•ei sleds. Heal treating at LmO (o 750 F (550 or 400(7) 

u..:c.iscd coetcivity considerably, lor example, tro m 2 

:•• 1 10 oeistedsoi fio m < l to I 50 oersteds.' ' 

Bv couilast with electroless nickel films, which 

eshibn a low coercivity regardless ol" their phosphorus 

.,uncut , eleclioless cobalt films wn h more than about I 

• I I 1.5 percent pliosphoius were higher in coercivily 

|>II 5 oersteds). Alloys containing t>0 percem cobalt, 

balance nickel, also are high in coercivily (>50 0 oersteds, as a rule). 

A patent cited a coercivity of 2 to 5 oersteds lor 

electioless nickel deposited in au acid balh wit h a pH ot' 

jhviut 4.0.'-,"

>l

 A slightly acid bath with a pH o f about 

'i.o was used to deposit nickel alloys containing I :• to 55 

percent cobalt and 2 pcicenl phosphorus. These alloy s 

exiubiled a voerci\;ty s-t < 5 oeisleds

 lJ

~' lucieasing ihe 

p l l io (. J incieascd the coeicive fotce. A high lalio ol 

remand.I lo salutation magnetization also was repot led. 

L..w-coe;c;viiv nickel-cobalt alloys coniaining 5 lo I I 

neuent phosphorus also ate included in labl e 2. 

Relatively duck dims 0.05 mil I \o0 0 angstroms) ol ' 

nickel-cobalt-phosplionis alloys vveie unchanged in 

^o-.-iciviiv dunm : exposure lo humid air (5 0 to 70 percent leiative humidity ! at 2l2 F « 100 fl . whereathinner dims 0.O00I5 to U.UI5 mils (400 lo 5.^00 an--

siromsl were not.'-* 1 Coercivity oi the thicker di m was 

stable for 1.4uo hours. 

Unlike electroless nickel, which exhibited an increased coercivity after heat treatment. eieetrolesS 

mckel-cobah-phosphorus alloys were reduced in coercivity when ihey were heal treated. (27 )

 Heat ireadrw at 

5 " 0 F (500 C) minimized coercivity . which was ascribed 

to the "destruction of defects." These alloy films were 

deposited in l"0 F (57 C l solutions containing 0.1 i M 

nickel sullaie. 0.12 M sodium acetate. 0.13 M ammonium sulfate and 0.16 M sodium hypophosphite. 

Although several reports state that electroless nickel 

becomes nonmagnetic when us phosphorus content 

reaches " percent, a field o f 6.500 gauss showed sheju 

magnetization for alloys coniaining <I 5 percent 

phosphorus.IJ8 ' Magnetization approached zero al 15 

percent phosphorus, which corresponds to (he compound Ni 3P. At 9 percent phosphorus, magnetic susceptibilit y was 4 percent, in comparison wn h 37.5 percent 

lor electrodeposi'ed nickel ' ' Saturation magnetization ot eiectroless nickel reduced wit h hydrazine was 

nearly eqiui to the saturation magnetization for wrouuhl 

mckei (4s4 aauss/cu cm)." 7 1 

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES 

Strength and Ductility 

A tensile strength of 66.000 psi (4b kg/sq mm) was 

reported for electroless nickel coniaining about o percent phosphorus. (^9 ,

 This is slightly stronger than nickel 

electrodeposiled from a Watis-type solulion or annealed, 

rolled nickel. The tensile strength o f X.2 or ".4 percent 

phosphorus alloys deposited in an alkaline haili was 

much higher, but not as high as electrodeposiled nick:I 

containing >0.0 5 percent sulfur. The tensile strength oi 

tuese lueh-phosphorus alloys was 106.000. psi ("5 kg'sq 

mml.'- They were deposited in a sodium curatebuffered nickel chloride solution. In comparison, electroless nickel containing about 8 percent phosphorus, 

which vvas deposited in an unbuffered nickel sullaie 

bath, exhibited a tensile strength o f only (O.OOO psi (45 

kg/sq mml. 130 1 Table 3 includes supplemental tensile 

strength data. 

Heal dealing the phosphorus alloys at 750 to 

11 IO F (400 lo oOOCl reduces the tensile strength 

appreciahlv .'* 9'-"' 1 For example, the tensile strength ol' 

alloys containing >.o lo ". 4 percent phosphorus was 

reduced lo only 10.000 psi (7.0 kg/sq mm l alter t-0 or 

I 2U minutes heating ai ?50 F (40 0 Cl. 129 1 The sdength 

of an alloy containing S.0 to 9.4 percent phosphorus was 

reduced as much as SO percent to onl y 18.000 psi i i 2.5 

ke.;sq mm l by heat treating al I I IO F (oOOC). Heal 

treating at I 5X0 F t 750 C) reduced the strength of J-I > 

m " pcicenl phosphorus alloy about " 0 percent, but 

JiS 
increased the strenuth oi 6 percent phosphorus ailoy .viieie.is an ail.", .•••iiniimi x ., i .i.,-..v..:: ,,j-., -y. •• ,. 

aboul "5 percent.'-91 Figure 2 shows these relation- i-.-vmio j .iispcrsi.--i m mckci in r\kei p;....;ii-i ,.- ' ' 

ships. The changes in strength (and ductihiy l shown m Heat treatment JI *.'i'. . I l I II *-' I 41)11 I.> • 11 

Figure 2 are related to structural changes that occur reduces 'he d'.iciil1:;. ol the phosphor.^ ii|ov s !>i„:::. 

when the alloys are heal treated at I 5>t) F I ""50 C). An ... determined by bulge tests, was reduced .it-, -HI '* 

ailoy containing 5 or 6 percent phosphorus is trans- percent bv heat dealing at 7*0 F <4IJ0(.')OI '0 I" V 

formed lo a dispersion of nickel phosphide in nickel. percent, depending mi the phosphorus content, bv heat 

TABLE 3. 

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ELECTROLESS NICKEL 

Property Value as a Function of Phosphorus Content Supplemental 

Property 37> P 5^62 X^ ~ 0:it:i 

Tensile strength 

psi No data 5o.OOO lo i>5.0(>0(30). IOd.00O(29). 

tsX.OOO1291 I I 1.000 to I 22.000(31) 

kc/sq mm No data 5" lo 4*' 2 9 ' 45 (30). " <(29). "S d to lalandlb i 

s,,|!31) 

(dl 

(el 

Strain at fracture'"1 No data O.OOX'29' i)007 to 0.U0X|31) 

0.014 to UOI."' 2 9 ' 

Flongation. percent No dau 2.0 to 2.1' 3 2 ' O..'' 2 9 '. 3 to f75'

7

' 

Modulus of elasticity No data ,,-. .,, . 

psixlO 6 ' 17(30). :s..-( 3') 

kg/sq mm !2.000(3O). 20.0O(.)(31) 

Hardness, kg/sq mm 500 to S00 500 to 625 500 to X00 See Table J 

Internal Stress 

psi No*data 9.500 to 17.000 -15.000 (o 40.0(H) 

r

-?;'

st) m m

 No data 6.7 to 12.0 • -10.8 to 2* See Table

 ; 

(a) Heat treaiment at 752 F (400 C) reduced the (ensue strength >-i o''•' P and >•••>''- P alloys to only Unniii p.. i " 

kg/sq mm).' ' Heal treatmeni at 15X2 F (750 C) increased the tensile strength sil the 5-<<'- P alloys i,. 11) 1 .< H «t 

to I 12.000 psi (71 to 79 kg/sq mml. but reduced the tensile strength of an SV P alloy to -44.(XK) psi (51 kg • | 

mm). Most of these deposits were made in I 94 F ("0 C) bath adjusted to a pH ol S 2 to X.4. coniainu.i; 0 | " 

M NiCI2. 0.28 M Na 3C6H5 07 . 0.95 M NH4CI. and about 0.1 9 M N'aH2P02: a few values fm electroless m.kcl 

deposited in acid baths (pH of 4.2 to 5.7) agreed with data for the nickel deposited in the alkaline solu: ions 

(b) The electroless nickel with a tensile strength of 45 kg'sq mm was deposited in a bath at 1 "6 to 21 2 F |Sn m 

I00C) with a pH of 5.2 to 5.6, containing 0.057 M NiS04 . 0.14 M H(' 3 02H6 . 0.15 g I M.-O v u.U's g | 

hydroxylamme sulfate, and 0.17 M NaH2P 0 2 . ' 3 0 ' Heat treaiment at 752 F arid ill 2 F (400 C a'.d ndO i'i 

reduced tensile strength to 31,500 psi (22 kg/sq mml and 4X.000 psi (54 kg sq mm), respectively. 

(c) Determined by bulge testing.' ' A strain at fracture of 0.015 is equivalent to an .elongation oi7>l ". 

(d) Heat treatment at 752 or I 1 12 F (400 or 600 C) reduced the ductility ol 5 to "'" P alloys.'29' Heat tieatmeni 

at 1382 F (750 C) improved the ductility of the 5 or 6'7 P alloys, but reduced the ductility s<i the " or '' ' 

P alloys. 

(e) The ductility of ihe 67' P alloy was higher than the ductility of 4 or 7'": P alloys.vJ-' Heat treating the n ' P 

alloy reduced elongation to only 0.1r>. 

JL6 
dealing ai lilU F (rstJO C).''-'*' Her dcalmem at 

i.'-.xOF f.'O O reduced the ductility of the > or ' 

percent phosphorus alloys about -40 percent. The reduction in ductility and tensile strength probably was at 

least partlv due to microcracking. which ha's been observed microscopically in heat-treaied nickel-phosphorus 

aiioy coatings by several investigators. 

The ductility ol electroless nickel was maximized by 

aJiusting the phosphous content to 5 percent and selecting a heat-tieatment temperature ol 15X0 F 

(~5u OZ' ; M Fven so. such a heai-treated alloy exhibited 

only slight ductility (a strain at fracture of 0.01b. 

appioxLmately equal to 1 percent elongation). A 5-hour 

treatment at 13X0 F (750C) or higher followed by slow 

cooiing io 5"0 F I200C) or below m an inert atmosphete was suggested to maximize ihe duciiliiy of an 

alloy containing about 9 percent phosphorus10 bul no 

quantitative information for such a heat-treated alloy 

.vas reported. 

Hardness 

Hardness values of electroless nickel deposits are a 

nieasuie ol the resistance of the deposits to indentation 

»y an indenler oi fixed geometry under a static load. 

Pyramid diamond indenters of either Vickers or Knoop 

shape are usually used, with the results reported as VHN 

I DPH) or KHN respectively. Foreign investigators report 

liaidues.s values in ;erms of kg/sq mm. Knoop Hardness 

Numbers (KHN) can be considered equivalent to kg/sq 

mm readings with only a slight error. Vickers Hardness 

Numbers (VHN) Jitter from kg/sq mm readings by an 

eiioi of 10.' oi less. Accordingly, all hardness values in 

:lus te.xi aie shown as kg/sq mm. either as reported in 

he original work or by direct unit transposition from 

die KHN or VHN values reported by the investigator. 

Hardness values for electroless nickel are detailed iu 

lable 4 l'he data show mi significant difference in hardness loi allovs containing 2 to I I percent phosphorus. 

Hi wever. the alloys coniaining 15 or I" percent phosphmui were suiter I only 540 to 575 kg/sq mm. m 

comparison with ai least 500 kg sq mm lor the 2 lo I I 

jvrvent phosphorus alloys). Neither ihe pH ol ihe solulion nor the Nr ' POZ' ratio influenced hardness. 

Variations in hardness (in Table 4) probably are due in 

large part lo differences in the indentation load applied 

I.ii measuring hardness. An alkaline electroless nickel 

pijiing bath was preferred io acid baths by one team ol 

investigators lor producing I-mil 25- *jm thick coalings 

wu!. j homogeneous phosphorus content, which are 

Jesiiable for the measurement of hardness and olher 

(^91 

pioixMiies.1 ' 

An electroless nickel containing only 0.03 percem 

phosphmus. which was produced wnh hydrazine as the 

ieducing agent 

containing 5 oi 

pei cent pluisphorus alloy softened as a result of heal 

deatmeut For example, a hardness of 275 kg/sq mm or 

ess was re|>>rted after heating at 7"0 F (420 C) and a 

luidness of less than 100 kg/sq mm was measured altei 

"

n

 was similar in hardness to deposits 

percent phosphmus. but the 0.05 

heating at 1020 F l.'.'O t. i. By contrail. ;l,e 4 to 11 

percent phosphorus alloys increase in hard.".e.-.s lo about 

I 0U0 kg/sq mrn when healed at 7 '0 F I4!)U Cl. which is 

a result oi ihe precipitation of nickel phosphide from 

supersaturated -.olid Solutions of phosphorus. 

For alioys containing 4 to 11 percent phosphorus, 

maximum hardness is developed by heal treating in ihe 

range of "50 to X40 F (400 to 450 Cl. After one" or two 

hours of heating in this temperature range, hardness 

usuaily reaches "00 lo I IUO kg.sq rnm depending on the 

indentation load. Figure J shows hardness data as a function of heat-treating temperature for an alloy containing 

aboul 9 pcicenl phosphorus. Two hours of heat treating 

at 570 F (500 C) hardened electroless nickel to about 

950 kg/sq mm whereas a temperature of 390 F (200C) 

did not increase the hardness of an ailov containing 

aboul 9 percent phosphorus.'45' On the other hand, the 

hardness of electroless nickel deposits containing 6 or 7 

percent phosphorus was increased from about 550 to 

nearly X00 and 700 kg/sq mm respectively, by four 

hours of heat tieatmenl al 390 F (200 C).'291 Lowtemperature hardening treatments, which minimize 

oxidation when electroless nickel is heated in an. have 

been reported, as follows:1'"11 

Hardness After 

Temperature 

F _C_ 

450 232 

500 260 

Time. 

hours 

28 

25 

Heat Treating, 

kg/sq mm 

825 

800 

"50 

3 J 

ensue sT'e-v;;r z*(cr. rs^Q. • rec-,-e'-T 

28 

0 0-6 

00: 4 

•"0 012 

7. 0 010 

?0CC8 

0.006 

• 2C 

-HO 

•ec' »-ec—•»-• cr 

390 r I7;CC! 

jffOin or 

fracture :«f0'e 

-ectt'ecT-e"' »^ ^ 

• » «>^ 

••OJ" 

20 

oc'v-reofte' Ir 

CT TrecT.TenT CT • 

?0fr-CCi 

Phospnorus Content, percent 

I igu re 2-lnllucne e of Phosphorus (Yinicnt on ;hc SirvruMh 

jml Diuuhiv ol livciiolvss Wkvl<:'

!

" 

•V 
Hardness after heal treating al "50 (-' i-l(!0 Cl J.-es 

::ot appear to vary appreciably with the phosphor:, 

content, according to the data in Table •'. A- sirmar 

observation was made for eiectrodeposued ,-ik.seiphosphorus alloy containing 2 to 14 percen' phosphorus, also heal treated at 750 F (400 Cl.' 3 ,

 However, an alloy containing 9 percent phosphorus was 

reported to be slightly harder (500 kg/sq mml than 

alloys containing 5 or 0 percent phosphorus (about 

350 kg/sq mm), after heat ireatment al 750 F (400 

C).'2'"1 Some electroless nickel deposits containing i5 

or 19 percent phosphorus were much softer (550 io 

430 kg sq mm. in comparison with "0 0 lo I 100 kg/sq 

mm for mosl of Ihe 4 lo II percent phosphorus electroless allovs) after a similar heat treatmeni. The 

Meat rreat.nq Temoe'ature.f 

300 60 0 ?0 0 "TO 

600 

500 

0 :00 200 300 40C 50C 60C 700 

Meet Treating rempera'u'-e. 0 

figure "-'hjne e in Hardness ol I-Iccirolcss N'KKCI I ' intjininc 

Vioui si Percem Phosphorus js j Function ol" licit-1 retime 

r Oil 

Icm pern I urev 

I ive-mil-! hick jYposiis were heal ircatcd I'or :m hour md slow Iv 

vo.ilcd lo 39" I- < "(IOO befure rneasurc'iicnis ,,: ;....m icnipcrature 

250 

Temperature. F 

500 "5 0 •OOC 

S00 

*-""• -w 

~*-~l ^ ! 

N - 7% P''- 1 1 

fj, -Q».. - «o.«ei 

•,...c%?'- 5' '• 

-

*x» 

\ 

:i 

i 

^ l -9%P ,-

l ^ .*• , 

v I 

\ I 

\ -A 

\ i \ 

\ V v £ ect 

—A \ » 

l 

• 

i 

'oaepos'Tea 

CTiun- 4 8 ' I 

500 

WWW \ \ ' \ \ \ v * 

\ ^ \ \ \ •"•' 

\ X \ W ' N 

- 0i^i 0 w 

noe-a'c'e. C 

r.:o 

^•.curacy !•' die baldness measiuements :••' tl.. • •• 

..•ulaiiung i.s •: I ' peicent ph'••p-'.oru- van .• .p. -

d-'iied because :l;e:r bnitieness w.-:,,i i.-.J • . ;-.;..noi. 

_ijc7.i:i-j an-.l .rir.luiii; during ti' ie:i:ali..n. 

Alter healing a: I IIO F teull t'l. :he !:...du-.s ••: 

-.•ieciioless nivK'el c.mlaiuiin: 5 to x 5 pc:.'..':il phosphorus was reduced to ihe range oi a•"11 • > "mi ke sq 

.nm. as a noc . which reproduces the fvb.ivi i 

e.ectrodeposited mckel coniannne 2 'o * percent 

phosphorus.'" ' However. II percen: pho-phmus 

electroless nickel let.nned Inch hardness IM M ,.I i ion 

kg'sq mml after heat tieatment ai MIO I- ".on 

^•jtJ'.'ji j- . | s |,,j,|,.phoS|ihmiis allov ab,. le'.oued a 

higher hardness (oilO kg sq mml lh.ui low-phosphoiiis 

nickel after hcaline. al I 5>«i* or I4"il | : i"'(i oi sou 

ci.'-" 

After heat neaimcni at jboiii "".'o Ft-lni.lCl he 

hardness ot elecdviless nickel was abo i equal (•' the 

hardness of chromium elev'roplale. Such a heal I'calmem also inpioves adhesion to sieei \ liuee-

 ; • >n 

;.•;.! increase in bond sireiv_'th was reported alter a 

.ine-hour treatment ai "50 F idiiu Cl. ..i eoinparixmi 

A iih a twofold increase' after heal ireatment al .""0 F 

i.'OO C)." 1 6 1 

Flecddess nickel containine On or J." pei.'ciii 

'siiron, a product .if ihe ovulation of the duneihvl. 

.inline borane used Kir reducing nickel ions. exinl,:' I 

before heating, a hardness ,sl "00 'o "25 xe >q 

mm.' •*' winch is slightly higher than the hardness m 

mosl ol the nickd-phosphorus alloys 1'his Inch l.v ! of 

hardness was relaiued al'lei heat liva'menl a", *' " I 

I4U0 C). However, the nickci-hoion .dl. vs ii,|^. ;h • 

nickel alloys coniaining 5 lo " (XMceitl phosph.o' ' 

softened appreciably (to only 525 to 4IIII k: s,| r'rni 

as a result of heat treatment at 147(1 '-' |X|'0 ( i 

A maximum hardness s-i llOti ke ~q mm t." 

electroless nickel reduced with sodium >•>,,,,,,u j;,,;, . 

was reached by Ileal treatment a I about '" d |- ilim 

('). which vvas allrihuled to ihe precipitation ,.| N..H 

identified from X-ray diffraction pattens 1" " I he 

solution contained 0.15 M nickel .blonde. 1 0 M 

sodium hydroxide. 1 0 M eihylenedi.imine. oo " M 

sodium tluvinde. 0.015 M sodium horohvdiide and 

0.0002 M lead chloride. 

Hardness data for electroless meke! ph.'-ph.'ins 

alloys ai elevated temperatures are shown in I- cure

 J 

Specimens lhal were heal Healed iu advance oi the 

hot-hardness measuremenis were much h.nder irmn is."* 

ic. 750 F (20 io 400 Cl than their counterparts ihat 

were not preheated. The heatirealment 'emperaiure 

was "'O F (4d() C). Fleclroless nickel-pli.'»ni.onix al 

loys ate similar in baldness lo cieciiodcposited •.In-• 111-

mm in the temperature range of oS lo ""•) I' i2'l !•' 

400 Cl. but sol'tei than chromium electroplate above 

"50 F ( "00 C). 

Kigure 4 -I I jrdness oi IJectrolcss \ickcl-l"'ovpi: (.ru % Allow 

'• •-•• i:-.-ii 1 -.•npcrjturv's 

*f 
TABLE 4. 

HARDNESS OF ELECTROLESS NICKEL BEFORE AND AFTER HEAT TREATMENT 

HinsplBirus 

(oiiteill . 

|Krrci-iil 

ll II 1 

J lo .1 

.! I, 

i 7 

4 II 

4.7 

5.X 

d U 

d.5 

7.1 

7..S 

K.l) 

X ll 

K.J 

( a K.s 

1 a X.i 

K.7 

''.l l 

'Ml 

').') 

').4 

O.u 

ll.l l 

u.s 

U ' l 

1.1.: 

IK lo Jl) 

Hrfoie 

'1 realn 

aim ii 

75<l i, 

Mill 

5IIII ii 

r.:.s 

5l.il 

5'l l 

suo 

7H(I 

5411 

415 

1,110 

l.l Hi 

'II I 

Illlll 

55(1 

"(Ml 

.Slill 

Mill 

5 711 

51(1 

.'Oil 1. 

(illll 

17 5 

5 5u 

' M l 

.1411 

Ileal 

HTIll 

50(1 

K.S II 

(.011 

i XIIII 

llaidneu. 

Ileal Treated 

4 0 0 C 

lljidllcss fvduccd 

No dat; 

850 

11)1111 n 

'mu 

No dat; 

•'"ii 

>liinii 

ysn 

rain 

IIIIII I i. 

«)tin 

'll.ll 

IIIIII I i. 

1 1511 

1 1411 

11**5 

•JM)" " 

'I7X 

••:s 

.175 

lllllll 

"5(1 

4.1(1 

1 Illll 

15.MI" " 

> 1 tun 

kg svj mm 

Ileal liea 

WH) C 

No IIJI. I 

No ,l.,l.i 

No il.lt.! 

No ,l.,l , 

7IKI 

No J.U., 

4 lo 

N " d.il.i 

s:n 

No il.lkl 

No d.il.i 

7llil 

l.ln 

I.ll 

1,511 

N.. .I.ii.. 

No d.il.i 

No d.il.i 

No d.il.i 

No d.n.i 

1 .Inn 

Kilil 

No djl . 

Nil d.ll. 

No d.ii. 

No .1,1. 

led 

/nu 

Ileal Treated 

750 or HOO C 

No d.ila 

No d.iu 

No d.il.i 

No .).! • 

hill 

.l.lll 

Ihil 

No .lata 

.155 

4JU 

No il.ila 

.155 

Slill 

-4 SH 

:su io um 

No d.il.i 

No d.,1.1 

No d.iI.I 

No d.n.i 

5111 

Mill 

No d.iI.I 

No d.ila 

No .l.n.i 

No d.il.i 

Solution 

Ni(1 2 . M Na.C^I I O 

ll I4 , : " 

,i:.." " 

ll 1 * 

n :x 

u i.i 

0.1') 

u in 

O.I:ISU 4 I 

o.i i 

u pi 

No d.il.i 

u 1 MStlj l 

u. 1.* 

II. I'-

ll ni'/isoj i 

I I i 

n.J7' ^ 

No d.il.i 

No daia 

ll.ll1) 

d.l') 

li.n7.5iSO,) 

II. l.-

ll. l.l 

n. l.l 

tl 1 1 

il. I t 

11 44 1 1 " 

ll."4 

(I 17 

1. 1 

II.J.S 

II.JX 

<i.5ii 

II :x 

u 115 

I t ) 

II. JX 

( c l 

10 

I I . : x 

oi 

I v ) 

11.14 

II. "4 

0.14 

ii i ; 

Composition 

M Nll 4 t l , M 

u.55 

ll 75 

I. i 

II.'IS 

i > .V 5 

ll '15 

1. 1 

ll.'IS 

li.')5 

i. 1 

11.5 5 

0.5 5 

n.55 

II X'l 

Nall 2 H)j . M 

Ial 

o.2n 

0.i|'*5 

(I I'l 

1)11.1 

ll I'-

ll. IV 

III' ) 

D.OVS 

II I') 

II.(I'I5 

(1 115 

ll I'l 

11.17 

( tl 

(I IJ1*-'1 

u.2.1 

II. I'l 

li.J 1 

O.II.Vtl.l 

n.0'15 

II.IIMS 

ll II''15 

li.n**5 

pll 

ID.') 

') 5 

III ) 

•1 II 

5 n 

K..1 

X. 1 

(i, 5 

S t 

4 lo 5 

4 5 

K.l 

5 4 

( J 5 

X i 

4 u 

4.U 

7 ll 

').(! 

X ll 

K III 

Operating 

(ominou s 

Teriipt-.-jlufi1 

I-M 

1 SK 1 ll, 

I ll, IKS 

.'III 

I'M 

I'M 

I'M 

I'M 

I X I 

I d . 

Jul 

I M 

I'M 

>I' M 

Jil l 

I'M 

1'IK 

Jill 

U J I'lS 

( 

'III 

Vu hii 

KU KX 

'14 

•in 

'in 

'in 

•in 

X 1 

Xn 

•M 

" i l 

•Kl 

^"ll l 

'IS 

' l o 

'' ! 

'M 

M i •!.' 

Kifvrrnci 

11 

14 

IS 

II. 

17 

J') 

.'•' 

U 

l.l 

I'l 

1 J 

I'l 

1 / 

.'0 

I II 

1. 

I l l 

s 

I I 

IJ 

:•> 

11 

w 

i s 

Is 

'* 

I 1 

(a) This solulion contained 0.34 M "SI K < * _ 11 -jC} 2 * 2 - " S M H^C^II^O-.. 0.00 M Na 4 I DIA . and O.o7 M lisdia/.me. (b) This solution emu.mud I)..: M 

nickel sullamaic, 0.44 M (Nll^l'JI^O., . and 0 2 M Nall.,1*'".,. (c) This solulion contained 0.05 M NiCI.,. l).."'»5 M ll-,*^)^!., . UDS 5 M II .'. 1

t ,

4 ".i -

.III.I 0 072 M Nal' Id) llealme in N.> induced a li.inlne.ssol IOOO ke's.| nun licaim*1 iu a vacuiiin u-siilied iu a liaidness of 1200 kj_/-..| mm and liciiuie 

in hvdioeen indiived Ihe maximum liaidness ol I Mil) kt:'si| mm. (el Ihis MIIUIIOI I COIII.IIII.-.I 11057 M NiSO^. II. I-I M I It' ,11,().,. Uli h ;: I M"l>, . 

1)0'. ;.:l livdio\yl.iltiiiie sullaie. .md 0.17 M Nall.,l'(); , (| ) |i |u|IIIOL m KANICI-N * pioccs-. le) I Ills solulion coiil.iiiud 1)2 / M un kel I.I.I.H.- .in.I 

0.12 M N.i-.l'l", (hi Healed .H 5.!(. I I 2.S0 i"| lo, |S lo 2(1 bonis.(D Ih e viliilion conla.ued DO') M NiCI.,. U.I 2 M N:i(\,l1 .1" 2 . and U 25 M N.,l l..l'< > . 

(|) Ihe solulion contained 0 1)75 M Ni.Sl).,. D 12 M iNafj l I jO, . DOI 5 M nialeic acid, and 0.23 M Nall,!" ^ 

* I iadeiu.uk . ('ciicial Aincncan Tiaiispm i.iiimi I'oi'im.iiimi 
P.31 

TABLE 5. 

INTERNAL STRESS DATA FOR ELECTROLESS NICKEL 

Phosphorus 

Content. 

percent 

0.03 

4.5 

6.0 

6.9 

7.0 

7 -i 

HO 

Ca .5 

Ca is 

CA S 

•VI 

8.4 

Ca 8.5 

9.0 

10.0 

10.7 

11.6 

• T "> 

12.4 

Stress1-» 

Before Heat 

Treat 

psi 

21.000 

1 6.000 

9.500 , c ) 

3.800 

2.200 

1.100 

4.000 

2,"00 ( e ) 

20.400* 2' 

5 .000 

1.900 

6.300 

8.500 

•2.000 

-7,500 

-7.800 

-12.800 

•10.500 

-1 5.400 

ment 

kg/sq mm 

14.7 

11.2 

6.7 

2.7 

1.6 

0.8 

3.8 

1.9 

14. 7 

3.5 

1.5 

4.4 

6.0 

-1.4 

-5.3 

•5.5 

-9.0 

•7.4 

-10.8 

After 

Treatment 

psi 

11.200 

1 0.400 

9.400 

'1.100 

o.OOO 

9.800 

20.500 

-

4.200 

0 

-1.200 

•5.''00 

Heat 

"74 F II 90 Cl 

kds q mm 

No daia 

No data 

No data 

s o 

.' .J 

0.6 

No daia 

'i.4 * 

N o dai a 

<s 5< '•> 

0.9 

14.2 

No data 

No data 

No data 

3.0 

0.0 

-O.S 

-2.7 

Solution Composition 

NiS0 4 . M 

0.-4 , b l 

0.02" 

0.027 

o.o.x,dl 

0.08 , d l 

o.os'-" 

0.27 

i ; i 

if) 

o.i.-' " 

0.08' d ) 

OO.S( d l 

0.05 7'J1 

o.r 

0.27 

0.08 ( d l 

0.0S( d ) 

o.os( dl 

0.08 ( d ) 

NaH,PO, . M 

Ibl 

0 19 

0 1" 

0 25 

0.23 

0.23 

0.19 

j.u"5 

0.23 

0 25 

0.17 

0.19 

0.19 

0.23 

0 2 3 

0.25 

0.23 

Operating 

C onditioux 

pH 

10.9 

<>.() 

N N 

5.0 

5.0 

4.0 

5 0 

4 5 

4 5 

4.5 

5.4 

4.5 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

4 0 

4.0 

Temperature 

F 

I'M 

1 xti 

| x o 

1 M 1 

| 9 4 

201 

IM) 

205 

| oo 

IOO 

| 9 4 

IM) 

180 

207 

201 

|'H| 

|9(s 

C Reference 

"O 

\ 2 

s2 

N * 

I'i 

9 4 

8 2 

l i s 

"." 

0 V 

90 

> : 

s2 

0 7 

•)4 

" 5 

"1 

• | 

• ' -

' 4 

54 

.*4 

•

!

-

v-v-

- s # 

.'" 

."4 

<4 

50 

;, : 

.i _ 

54 

54 

54 

> J 

la) A negative sign indicates compressive stress, no sien indicates tensiie stress. 

lb) This solution contained 0.34 M Ni(C2 ! " 3 02 ) 2 . 0.0b M Na4 I'DTA. 0.8 M 1I,C,H.,03 . and 0.67 \| hv,ha/me 

(cl Stress increased to 17,000 psi ( I 2 kg/sq mml when the Nall-PO, concenlration was increased to l.l M. 

(dl This' solulion contained 0.08 M NiS04 . 0.56 M H 2 C 3 H 5 0 3 . and 0.25 M Nal^PO-,. Stress values in tins table 

are averages for three measurements. 

(ei Minimum of 12 values ranging from 2,700 to 21.000 psi ( 1.9 to 14.7 ke sq mml. 

(f) Samples of KANIGEN* Nickel supplied by three commercial sources. 

(g) Maximum of I 2 values ranging from 2.700 to 21.000 psi ( I .9 to i 4.7 kg/sq mini, 

(h) Stress after aging at 68 F (20 C) for four weeks. 

(i) This solution contained 0.126 M NiCI 2 . 0 5 M NH 4 C 2 H 3 0 2 . and 0.095 M NaH,P02 . 

fj.) This solution contained 0.057 M NiS04 . 0.14 M HC3Hg0 2 . 0.015 g I M0O3. 0.0'- H hydio.xv Limine suluie, 

and 0.17 M NaH2P02 . 

* Trademark. General American Transponation Corporation 

HI 

SO 
P.32 

Resistance to Wear and Friction 

Ihe fncdoiial characteristics ot nickel-phospliorus 

ailov heal Healed al 1200 lo l<>5() F uo u to "Du I I 

aie similar io those of electroplated chromium.Ib0 ! 

Vet. the coelticieut of friction changed veiy little 

when the nickel-phosphorus allov was heal 

Resistance to wear and abrasion 

l5.37.'il I 

,, . . . i i ;o.j6.a;> deated. 

.iv.pioved bv ileal dealing. ,5,37 '

b n

 Ihe wear resistance ssf allovs coniaining more than " percent phosphorus is inaximi/cd by heal treating at ~^0 to I I 10 F 

(400 io rnKJ Cl.' 3" An alloy containing II 5 percent 

piiosphorus exhibited better wear and galling resistance 

ihan ailovs with a lower pluisphorus content. 

Internal Stress 

llie.li values ol internal tensile suess up to 50.000 

psi (55 kg sq mml were reported for ilun |0.000 mil 

i 1500 augsironisil films of electroless nickel.15-" 

Aiimhc : lb m coatin g |also O.OOo uui ( 1500 ang-

....-ii'.sii was ie|xuled to have a tensile -.tress ol 

- ooo psi i2x kc sv| mml.' 3-' Thicker coaiiues e.xiubl-d ,:.:.i:iai 'Hi' " ,:; the lange "I -I74u0i o r 21.0UU 

ps| i;i.)s ;,, t 14 " kg.sq nun), as shown iu Iable 5. 

I'cpo-iis wilh a high sttess contained < 7 percent 

pho ihv'ius. :s a :uie A low tensile stiess oi a vompicssi. • sliess was obseived for allovs with a higher 

ph.ispiioi s vduieui oi foi allovs deposiieJ dom solui.ons v-oi:a.:..ue oie.iuo-sullur coiiipmiiids. Mosl ,.| the 

.!!.-> v.dues in lable 5 ue duccllv pio|»uliouai to die 

pii •.'••tioi-.is vonlcnl Ihe ina|oi exception'- ' mav 

',...c reeu ihe icsult ol an enor in measurement or an 

uuspecded depaiture Irom noi mai eleclroless plating 

pi- -v cduiev 

IT.e addition ssf saccharin and olher orgauo-sullur 

... • i: -: | > muds was icpoiled to reduce slress' in elect s invvel-pliosphoius alloys. Allhough a 4 g i 

j . . :i.,ii:i addition s||g|,(|y increased the phosphorus 

. -niviii iiiom .:bout 4 io 4.5 percem i. the curvature 

•i ; ."i metal snips, caused bv stiess iu typical deposits 

.,.!. u J,ued about 50 pcicenl Z " The curvaluie was 

. n die! leduced bv codeposiliug I lo 2 percem iron in 

die nu vel reduced from I o5 F ( 74 C). alkaline nickel 

-.iii..:e-s.-dunn pv rophosphite-soduuu hv pophosphile 

s,iii'„,io cv-:.laming saccharin. 

I he -dess ssf electroless nickel on brass and alunu-

:..im winch b.avc a high coelticieut of expansion, tends 

:.. i e compressive when ihe phosphmus content exwcd's •'• oi " petceut. On the olher hand, nickel-

|.iin-->i'ii"!.:s allovs on melalx such as titanium and 

beivlli.mi. which have iovv coell icienis ol expansion, 

aie sir-.-.v^-d iu tension when the phosphorus content is 

less dijii anoiii II pcicenl.''"-" Figuie 5 compares 

des. vai-.ies sited as a lunclion s--i the phosphouis 

content -or -.everai subiiraie me'ais. Heat treating ial 

_.'•) F or !'"i Cl increased the tensile -dess ol deposits 

ni berv•ilium"'-" m titanium."" ' However, die te::-..e 

•iiess in eiec'roless nickel coniainma 4 peicenl ni.osphorus deposited on aluminum vvas shifted io a compressive stiess by such a heal treatment. Figuie 5 

shows changes m stress resulting from heal treatmeni 

of electroless nickel on aluminum, brass, jieel. and 

mamum. 

Flectroless nickel (aboul 0.5 mil or 12.5 /ami 

produced wnh dimeihylamine borane as the reducing 

agent exhibited high tensile stress, depending on the 

boron content, -is follows:" 4 1 

Boron Content, 

percent 

0.6 

1.3 

Stress 

psi kg/sq mm 

69.000 

44.000 

17.000 

48 

EFFECT OF ELECTROLESS NICKEL 

COATINGS ON THE FATIGUE STRENGTH 

OF STEEL 

Decreases of | 0 to 46 percent in the diiigue 

sliene.th i't high-strength steel as a result ol plating 

with electroless nickel weie reported by severai investigators, as shown ,n Table r.'"5.3o.43.so.t>3i Nl)U | K . j 

specimens were reduced in fatigue sliength al least 15 

•• . i r 3 :- o -

Pi-csonoius Conren sercenf 

lieur e 5-Iii!cr::.ii Slress in I Iccl.'olcss Nicke l .is j I unvii-.n .' 

I'liosphoru s i ..nicn i "ii Mcijls wit h j llicli I- \['jiisn.:i i c'livienl i Aliinur.iiiii .,nd llrussi ., : a Low l\p.insi., n (.'i.-cll ivi.-ni 

'.Mcci. UcT> li.un. arid (' i I j :l l n 1111' -* ** ' 

*• "C C 

"•'*..0 

"£00 

0000 

.000 

31 
iX'.'CCIK. 

:

 1.62.64) Re'laliveb. ICduc t I'HIs I I _ 

percent, maximuml were observed for -..'ine iinnoiched 

steel specimens '-5-

6

*-631 These less h.uini'ii iciiits 

may have been associated with cmnprexsivelv stiessed 

... ai nies coniainini! more ihan 10 percen! phosphmus. 

althoiich the phosphorus contents were um icpoiied in 

these cases. 

The fatigue limit (5 x 10 ' cvclesi of tempered sieel 

coiled wnh an electroless nickel applied limn an acid 

bath and continuously sprayed wnh 5 percent sodium 

chloride was reduced from about 22."50 lo 14.220 p-i 

(Id to 10 ku/sq mml. This redudion was aboul 5"' 

percem. On the olher hand, the fatigue limit of 

another sieel exposed to sulfuric acid solution wilh a 

pil ••! s,; ,v.is ii'-chauced hv pi.i'i'e •• .v i" .• , . • 

:i-c«.ci. ' : \ ^o pvc;:i' :;-iri'"-. :ie:.' •• • -,i .! '•'•' ' 

i ".iliill ps. or s .,, ; J t^ v | mmi w - .-'•••-r.. -. 

.. 'iioso-ii lit.:•:.• •-.•• is:.:iivC :•' J.Ii:- . ..... .. / • 

'.'.hen die vate d -d'ei was iie.ii d.;.iie.| '•< *' u i t -*.< • 

( I 

Anoi-ier rep.'i i.dicaled i d.i t sir-.-v, „,.|i.-si ,n ,i 

AIM 454(1 ,1. -i was .ncreased bv ..o.:d--_: die -i.-ei with 

ei.cd'iicss nickel ''' ' lhc -iniv was ..unc i .mi ,n "'.' 

percent ol the udiiu.iic icnsile slieicd: >•! die ste-1! 

Spec.mens thai weie heat deaie,! .ii 7'o I- i . - • 

C). .vhich piecipilatcs Ni .1'. showed a !'.• in lx percent loss m latij.ie stiengih foi -icei exiled wnh 

electroiess nickel in an acid baiii. in c-I".:VIIIS."• with 

TABLE 6. 

EFFECT OF ELECTROLESS NICKEL COATINGS 

ON THE FATIGUE STRENGTH OF STEEL 

Phosphorus 

Content. 

percent 

ii in i 5 

'ii o 15 

6 io 1 5 

Ca -5 

CJ * 

x lo 'I 

•> to i o 

10 to 12 

No data 

No data 

N'o data 

No data 

No data 

No data 

Nv) data 

N'o data 

No data 

No data 

Heat-Treating 

Temperature. 

F(C ) 

N'o heal ireatment 

374 F (190 C) 4 hours 

752 F (400 C) 

No heal ireatment 

1022 F (55 0 C) -

N'o heal treatmeni 

No heat treaiment 

No heat treaiment 

752 F (40 0 C) - i 

1292 F(700C l -

No heat treatment 

No heat treatment 

No heat treatment 

75 2 F (400 C) - 1 

752 F (400 C) - 1 

752 F (400 C) - 1 

" 5 2 F (400 C) - 1 

No heat treatment 

2 hours 

hour 

induct imi 

hour 

hour 

hour 

hour 

Fatigue Strength 

'.' Reduction'"" 

50to40 l h l 

2.o4'- ' 

:o"» 

4 ,(d ) 

50 

IfM o 4,,"' 1 

10.. . 12" " 

Appreciable 

40 

None 

4 to 17(3 1 lo iOi'i ' 

0 to 12(1 5 to 2}){k) 

-.. 1) 

46' ' » 

38 lo 44 

41 lo42 ( m l 

5 io I7 ( n l 

6 (29) ( o 1 

Cycles 

5 x Ml " 

5 x m h 

10 x 1 ()" 

* x io " 

Above 1 

but less 

than 2 x 10' 

10 x 10"1 

10 x 1 O'1 

10 x 11.)'" 

10 x 10° 

10 x 10 " 

10 x 10° 

5 x 10' ' 

Type of 

Elect rolexs 

Nickel Bath 

Ac,d< " 

Acid'- ' 

Acid^ 1 

Ac,d«" 

Acid 

Acid 

Acid 

Acid 

Acid 

-

Acid 

Alkaline 

Alkaline 

Reference 

"<l 

<o 

•dl 

M 

'-•.I 

'., 

.." 

'.'-

.., i 

o(l 

rsl 

o2 

'. '5 

ii 5 

50 

n * 

63 

o4 

tal Figures in parentheses relale to notched specimens. 

lb) The decrease was proportional to the phosphorus conicnl in the nickel coating. 

!c) Data for heat-treated specimens shot peened before electroless nickel pladng. 

(dl The fatigue limit of the bare steel (5 x 10 ' cycles) was 06.000 psi (46 kg/sq mini. 

3Jir 
...ni .. , I . . .1 1 JO.i6.60.6il :,.,:.. „ i. . 

•niplaled sieel. -.n -hot pec::i:;e ' e.oie 

pialuig tailed lo eliminate the haimlul effect o! a LealHeated electroless nickel coaling on die r.iiieue 

strength of sieel.'591 On the othei hand. >ieel coaled 

with nickel in an alkaline baih vvas reduced only 5 to I ~ 

percent in fatigue strength after heat treating at 7*0 F 

14D0C).'"•" The intluence of heat treating on stress 

I which is increased or shifted from a compressive lo a 

tensile condition) may be a significant factor affecting 

ihe fatigue strength of electroless nickel-plated steel. 

Heat treating ai I 2"0 or 1470 F (700 or S00C) 

eliminated or al least greatly reduced the harmful effect 

of electroless nickel coatings on (he fatigue strength of 

sieel.'-6001 Recrystalli/.atiou ol electroless nickel occlusal these temperatures. 

THE CORROSION RESISTANCE OF 

STEEL COATED WITH 

ELECTROLESS NICKEL DEPOSITS 

hiecdolcss nickel-phosphorus allovs aie corioded 

by reagents that attack unalloyed nickel."-1 However, 

ihe ailoy coniaining 10 percent phosphorus is corroded 

at a Slower rale by some reagents such as nunc acid. 

Table 7 includes detailed data on the efiects of many 

chemical teagenis. Resistance to chemical attack is 

improved appreciably by heal treating at 1380 F (750 

C). Improved resistance to corrosion after heat treating 

in air or nitrogen at about I 200 F (650 C) also was 

reported elsewhere.'5" By contrast, however, healing 

in hvdro'jen is deleterious because of (he formation of 

(ei Solution al aboul I "4 F l'H)C) coniaining 0.06 M NiS("4.O.I2 M HCJij-Oj. 0.06 g/l N.H^SOj. 0.015 g,l 

Mo03 . and 0.17 M NaHoP02 . witii a pH of 5.2 to 5 ts. 

(ti Ihe nickel coatings were stressed in tension. The reduction in fatigue strength was proportional to the latntue 

sirengih •'! the steei. as follows: 

Fatigue Strength Reduction in 

of Steel Fatigue Strength, 

psi kg/sq mm percent 

44.000 51 Ks 

o 7.000 47 25 

"7.000 68 40 

lei Solution coniaining 0.15 M NiCU. 0.5 M N'aC"2H302. and 0.0'' M NaH2P02 . wnh a pH of about 4 5 and a 

tempeialuie ot "5 C. 

(hi The laiigue lunn of :i.e baie steel (5 x 10° cycles) vvas 56.000 psi (25 kg/sq mmi. 

(:) Soiuiimi coniaining 0.015 M NiCU. 0.24 M NaC2H3 02 . 0.4 M NHJCHJCOJH . and 0.28 M N'aH2P02. wih a 

pH ol about 5 

l|i Ihe fatigue hmn ot the bare steei I 10 x 10° cycles) was "4.000 psi t52 kg/sq mm). 

The limit tor uncoated. notched specimens was 57.000 psi ( 2(> kg/sq mml. 

iki The laiigue limn ot ihe bare steel ( 10 x i 0° cycles) was 71.000 psi (50 kg/sq mml. 

The limit for uncoated. notched specimens was 5".UOO psi I 26 kg/sq mm). 

(I) The fatigue limit of the bare steel llUx 10 ' cyclesi was 87.000 psi (61 kg/sq mm), vvnh or without a heat 

treatment. 

(ml The fatigue limit of the bare, heat-treated steel vvas "1.000 psi lo4 kg/sq mm). 

lui The fatigue strength of ihe baie steei was .S7.000 psi tol kg/sq mml. Fadgue strength was reduced in proportion in coal ni'.! thickness, as follows: 

10 pm 

20 um 

50 /am 

10-12" 

lo.5'. 

i.'i The ladeue innn oi the bare sieel was 4ts.UOU psi I."2.4 kg'sq mml. The limit tor notched specimens was 

5 I .5oo psi ( 22 2 kg sq mini. 

32 
P.35 

mieroeraeks which were ascribed to the jiiius... n -,i 

. hvdrogen into the nickel, c.mbineu with mieutai sires.s 

:n the coaline. 

l-.ieciroiess nickel witi i a duckness o f I mii (25 

uml . deposited in acid solutions, was better than an 

equai thickness of nickel electrodeposiled in a chloride 

halh for protecting steel outdoors al "sure Beach. 

North Carolina and Washington. D.C.' 6 6 1 These electroless nickel coatings were about, equal m corrosion 

protection lo electrodeposiled nickel-phosphorus allovs 

containing 3 or 9 percent phosphorus and much better 

than electroless nickel coatings deposited in alkaline 

solutions wil h a pH o f 8.5 to 9.5. 

Another report cited good corrosion resistance in 

air and IM O F (600 C) steam for steel coaled wit h 

1.6-2 mils (4 0 to 50 jam) of electroless nickel deposited in acid solutions wil h a pH o f fi. 1

"

3

' The phosphorus content o f the coaling was in the" range o f 10 

to 1 2 percent. However, steel coaled wit h nickel containing 4 percent phosphorus, which was deposited in 

an alkaline bath wit h a pH oi 9, exhibited poor corrosion resistance. 

Steel plated with I mil (25 /ami ol electroless 

nickel-phosphorus alloy exhibited much belter resistance lo 20 percent (neutral) sail spray than steel 

plated with very low-phosphorus electroless nickel 

reduced wit h hydrazine or steel electroplated wii h 

nickel in a sulfamate solution.' 1" 

Tiie codeposition of tin' 6 7 1 or of copper' 0 8 ' 

supposedly improved the corrosion resistance of electroless nickel-phosphorus coatings on sieel. The tin 

addition was made to an aikaiine solution wit h a pH o f 

I0.5' 6 7 ' To codcposit copper. 0.1 g/l cupric chloride 

was added to an alkaline hath with a pH ol about 

O.o.' 6 9 ' 

STRUCTUR E 

Banded or lamellar structures like thai in Figure 6 

are customary for electroless (or electrodeposiled! 

nickel-phosphorus alloys. However, columns perpendicular to ihe bands have been observed microscopically in typical cross sections. The bands in electroless 

nickel deposited in alkaline solutions are about 10 

limes as wide as the bands in electroless nickel deposited in acid baths. (29 ' After heating at 750 F (400 

C). the precipitation of nickel phosphide is evident in 

seciions like that shown in Figure 7. 1 1 '

6 9 ' Evidence oi 

further precipitation of nickel phosphide and recrystallization is observed during microscopic examination o f 

sections heat treated at i4" 0 F fSOO C) iF'isiure Si. 

Recrv xt.iid/ad.MI a: u can : crowd* .i.s.- -.,,,; .-.- - • 

i.'lHl (.')'•"-" ' „ !;•:. , |- ,,,(1(1 (•_ _..-._.. , A l , 1.. . 

Ciain growth i.s more iMouounced m die '•-.'.•:-..• 

phonis allovs. ::; ...|'-.p.irisou wit h die aii.'vs ...;.-. 

more ihan 7 pcicenl piio-nhorux. 

1

 iv.ilaihniiv >s noi observed wn h Via v dildacd,. 

•<i eiectroiess nickel '.intil it has been heat -• .'.• 

However, a miciocrv siaihne siiuciuie . pnor !• h. 

treatmeni. has iv-."; resolved bv eie. tro " .:. 

Ir.ict u 1:3.29701 

XUIN.'! saturated 

„,.'-.-.I (19.691 

he aiioy is considered !o be a 

solid somlioi i ol nickel phosphide m 

A ..rain si/e s>f 0.02 mi l i.'i'UO anestromsi was reported tor electrviless nickel deposited m 

an ammomacal halh with u (il l of •> 2.'

 0 l

 lu e 

phosphorus conient oi this dep»'sii was not c.'-.'", 1'•" 

the olher hand, nickel deposited 111 an acid bath wil h a 

[il l o f about 5.". which contained abmi i S percent 

phosphorus, had a yj\u si/e .if mil*, ('.00024 mil 

(about nO angstroms I.' J 0 1 An allov deposited f: ni a 

-oiuiion wn h a pl l of *> 2. which coiii.nned " petv.nt 

phosphorus, lu d a grain si/.e ol the or .er s'f fl •< 14 

mii (101) angstromsi. whereas an allov c niainine 5 1 • 

percent pluisphorus exhibited a larger cram size 1" ' 1 

Gi am letuiemetr. with increasing pliosphoius content 

also was reported in another article.' ' ' 

Complete precipitation o l nickel phosphide .ioe' 

nol occur at temperatures significantly beiow "MII- ' 

(400C)' / 2 i when healing times aie hnnied to ., lew 

hours. The phosphide has been identified as Ni 3P In 

several invesugaiors. using electron diffraction1"' 1-

5

''- 7-' ' 

or X-ray diffraction techniques.' 3 0 '

6 9 ' When allov s containing as much as 8.5 or "f l percent phosphori c are 

heat treated (preferably at aboul I 470 F (SOOO . nickel 

is dispersed in a N'i3P matrix phase. <^9 "

b

'

, ,

 For ,;iov < 

containing less than " percent phosphorus. Ni. P is ,hs. 

persed in the nickel phase.{29> This change in stracture 

at about 7 percent phosphorus is associated wn h the 

changes lhat occur in lhc strength and diiculu y o f eie.-

troiess nickel, winch are shown in Figure 2. 

Crystal orientation wit h the (Mi l plane s-f ihe 

nickel phase perpendicular lo the surface has been 

noted.' 2 9 '

3 0 1

 The degree o f orientation is increased by 

heat treatment.' ^ The Ni 3P phase also is oriented 

wit h its (110) planes parallel wit h the ( I I 1) planes of 

ihe nickel. 

Unlike the nickel-phosphorus deposits reduced 

with hypophosphite. electroless nickel reduced wn h 

hsdra/ine exhibited a fibrous structure like that in 

Figure 9 Heat treatmeni at 1350 F (750 C l produced 

the structure shown in Fieure 10. 

14 

3Y 
P.36 

:-V.?y'-<*!S- "V* S'^--*y.\x"+r\*i. 

> 

...m 4 

•it-., i . f{.- r.yx..-.-i 

linurc h I inure 7 

< .,:•.y.-i.- - Vv I.' . ' ? 

uv:--;7> V , . " 

figure 8 

l-igurc h-Handed Sl.-aciurv m I-lecirolvss Nickel-Phosphorus Alloy DcnoMied in un 

UM Solulion1'' 

figure 7-1 lecrroless Nkkcl-I'hosphorus Alloy Alter Ileal lrc.ituicnt al 75ii !• iaoii 

( I w inch Prccipiiuicd Ni.ji"1' 

Kiiiure S-Recrysialli/jiion ol' l.lvctrok ss Siekcl-Ph.isphurus Allov .md Hrecipnaiuin 

(1) 

mm 

j .... 

sv r, <-' 

I igurc *# -I et'rous Structure ol '•lectrolcss Nickel Keduced null llv - figure- I 0 - I leelfless Nickel Keduced wnh llvdra/.ine Allv-r KvJ:../ine l 1 " erv sijlli/jiion al Moil I- ( "i,o Ci " " 

I 5 

3* 
P.37 

TABLE 7. 

CORROSION RESISTANCE OF ELECTROLESS NICKEL !61 

Corrosive Liquid Temperature Immersion 

Tesl 

Period. 

Aeration weeks 

Penetration, 

mils per year 

'Kanigen"* .is Deposited 

Acetylene bromide 

Amyl alcohol 

Benzole 

Benzyl acetate 

Carbon disulfide 

Carbon disulfide and water 

Cobalt linoieate 

Glucose 

Isoamyloctyl orthophosphale.

 7 5 percent 

Methyl alcohol 

N'aphlha. odorless 

Petroleum while oil 

Photographic: Developer 

'Hypo' solulion 

Refinery brine solution 

Sodium. Carbonate. 10 percent 

Hydroxide. 10 percent 

Acetic acid. 5 percent 

Acetic acid. 5 percent 

Acetone 

Acetylene bromide. 1 percent water 

Allyl chloride 

Aluminum sulfate, saturated 

Ammoniated ammonium: Nitrate 

Nitrate vapor 

Ammonium: 

Chloride saturated, 30 percent NH3 

Hydroxide, 30 percent NH-» 

Phosphate, 5 percent 

Sulfate, saturated 

Sulfate. 5 percent 

Sulfite, saturated 

Thiocyanate 

Amyl acetate 

Amyl chloride 

Aniline hydrochloride, saturated 

Rtal 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

r 

r 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

(bl 

* Trademark. General American Tiansportation Corporation 

16 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

N'o 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

NoYes 

No 

No 

N'o 

No 

No 

Nv> 

No 

No 

No 

No 

"les 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

_> 

24 

24 

24 

21 

21 

16 

Its 

5 

24 

; 

3 

4 

4 

25 

4 

4 

4 

4 

16 

_"i 

24 

4 

l o 

16 

Its 

4 

4 

20 

vS 

20 

20 

24 

24 

16 

N i attack 

No attac'-. 

No jiiac k 

No .mack 

No adack 

No at lack 

No a tiack 

No attack 

N " .mack 

No attack 

No at lack 

No attack 

No attack 

No attack 

N o jit.ic k 

No attack 

No attack 

t), ' 

o.O 

0.003 

Slight weight gain 

0.04 

0.3 

0.3 

0.3 

0.2 

"\ -j 

0.7 

0.05 

1.2 

0.02 

0.2 

0.002 

0.01 

0.5 

3& 
TABLE 7. (Continued) 

Corrosive Liquid Temperature 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

IdOF 

R 

K 

R 

R 

K 

loO F 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

K 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

X 

R 

R 

R 

R 

Immersion 

r 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

1 

T 

1 

T 

1' 

1 

r 

r 

T 

r 

T 

T 

T 

1 

1 

r 

T 

T 

1 

1 

'!' 

r 

i 

i 

T 

i 

r 

i 

T 

1" 

f 

1 

r 

Aeration 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Ves 

No 

No 

No 

* Ves 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Ves 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

N'o 

Ves 

No 

No 

Test 

Period. 

weeks 

4 

2*. 

16 

12 

s 1 

8 

i2 

52 

5 2 

,s 

16 

,x 

1" 

4 

X 

s 

24 

Penetration. 

mils per year 

0.2 

0.004 

1. 

0.01 

0.1 

0.5 

O.OOS 

0.04 

O.U05 

O.OOX 

0.03 

'.i.07 

0.00 2 

0.04 

0.006 

0.009 

0.00? 

(12 davs) 2. 

16 

4 

4 

1 

4 

1 s 

4 

4 

-

4 

4 

10 

5 

lo 

J 

5 2 

s 

4 

(25 days 

!0 

4 

0 2 

0.02 

1. 

^ 

0.9 

5. 

0 5 

0 1 

•) u" 

0.4 

0.05 

0.1 

0 00.H 

0.1 

"-

0.05 

0.7 

0.2 

10. " 

U.OUH 

0.01 

Heer 

Bcn/yl alcohol 

Benzyl chloride 

Black liquor skimmings 

Boraxo. saturated 

Boric acid 

Calcium cliloiide. 4S.5 percent 

4S.5 percent 

Caih.-n letiachlonde 

Cetv I alcohol, molten 

('.!: ic acid. 5 pcicenl 

1 id ic a. id. 5 pcicenl 

Clv'sV ik ,K.d 

Detergent solution. 5 peicent (fide) 

I'lhillvl phlhalatc 

Dipheuv I. molten 

I-1 Iiv I aivohoi 

Fillolophosplioi IC aCl.i' 

Foi uiaidehv de 

('..isiiiine 

ill i s.-'uiioii pil I 5 

pll 1.5 

pll ;... 

i ll 2 ' i 

pll 2.5 

pil y.o 

nil 5.5 

pll 5 5 

pll 4.0 

pll 4 0 

lllsc'v! iso ! 

Lavtic acid. 45 percent 

45 percent 

NO percent 

xn pcicenl 

I ef.t-'n |aice Canned 

•ii I peiwiil sodium hen/oate 

Oleic avid 

1 liauje nuce. canned 

37 
TABLE 7. (Continued) 

P.39 

Corrosive Liquid 

Tesl 

Period. Penetration. 

Temperature Immersion \eration weeks mils per vear • 

Petroleum, sour crude 

Rosin si/e: Concentrated 

50 percent 

Sodium: Cyanide. 5 percent 

Hydrosulfide. 40 percent 

Hydroxide. 72 percent 

Stearic acid 

Sulfuric acid: I percent 

5 percent 

Tall oil. crude 

Tall ml. refined 

Tanning solution (Koreonl 

Thionvi chloride, anhydrous 

Urea. 25 percent 

L'rea. saturated 

Water, chlorine: 5 ppm CU 

10 ppm CU 

Water, deionized 

Water, deionized 

Water, deionized 

Water, distilled 

R 

i"4 F I '0 Cl 

re! 

I'M F CD C) 

ref 

R 

R 

240 F (1 16 Cl 

ref 

15s F r o C) 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

120 F (49 CI 

rell 

ISO F I.X2 C) 

rell 

R 

ux 

UN 

ux 

UX 

ax 

T 

T 

I" 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

r 

T 

1" 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Nes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Nes 

Nes 

No 

No 

Yes 

N\. 

No 

No 

2 

5 

5 

4 

20 

l(s 

4 

4 

1 

12 

52 

5 

5 

16 

16 

4 

4 

12 

12 

12 

4 

0 00 I 

oOI 

i m n 

0.5 

Slid'! vveiein cam 

0.07 

0 02 

1 

1 

o.o5 

0.02 

0.05 

0.05 

0.05 

0.05 

0.02 

0.01 

O.02 

0.01 

."slight weigh! gain 

0.05 

Heat Treated al I3K0 F (750 C) 

Acehc acid: 5 percent 

10 percent 

10 percent 

50 percent 

50 percent 

glacial 

silacial 

Ammoniated ammonium: 

Nit rale 

Nitrate vapor 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

Nes 

N'o 

Nes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Ve< 

No 

No 

20 

16 

s 

20 

8 

20 

S 

12 

lo 

0.9 

0.2 

1. 

0.2 

-* 

0.02 

1. 

0 05 

0.5 

l.S 

3* 
TABLE 7. (Continued) 

P.40 

Corrosive Liquid Temperature Immersion 

Tesl 

Period. 

Aeration weeks 

Penetration, 

mils per year 

.Ammonium. 

Hydtoxidc. 50 percent Nils 

Hydroxide. 50 percem NH. 

Nutate, ii." pet-cent 

Nitrate. u5 pei cent 

Sulfate, sjiuraied 

Sulfate. 5 peiccnt 

Heer 

talc mm chloride 4,v5 percent 

4S.5 percent 

I tliv lene giv coi 

I • •! maldeh . de 5* pcicenl 

5" pcicenl 

IKI soiuiiviu pll I .5 

pll 2.0 

Pll 2.5 

pll 5 0 

pll 5.5 

pll 4.0 

LaCl ic acid. 45 pcicenl 

45 pei cent 

SO pcicenl 

si) pcicenl 

Pho'ph.nic acid, ss pcicenl 

sodium Hv diosuit ide. 4il percen 

Hv dio.Mvle. "2 percent 

Null u; ic acid : I pcicenl 

5 |vrcent 

5 percenl 

I ica. 25 peicent 

I ica. sal ui a led 

Wine, sheitv 

/.;uc jii'iiiK'iiiuin chloride 

•a' R. room temperature . 65 to S5 F ( I S to 29 C). 

isi T. total immersion. 

i v i P. partial immersion. 

240 F 

250 F 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

Standard cm 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R . 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

(1l o Ci 

lellux 

R 

R 

R 

R 

R 

Refrigerated 

(HOC ) 

rellux 

r 

|><C) 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

r.'simi (esl 

1 

p(C» 

T 

T 

r 

T 

T 

r 

T 

T 

r 

i 

i 

i 

i 

- T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

T 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Ves 

Yes 

Nv. 

No 

Yes 

• N,, 

No 

Ves 

Yes 

Ves 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

'les 

N,, 

Ves 

No 

Ves 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

yi 

s . 

_ -• 

2N 

24 

20 

20 

4 

" •"! 

20 

.ii 

* V. 

24 

s 

X 

12 

12 

* •* . 

•> •* 

- 1 

lo 

2>> 

24 

24 

X 

Id 

I'i 

1 n 

- -i 

4 

0 0b 

0.2 

0.1 

0.01 

0.02 

0.09 

0.O0S 

0.001 

0 0 1 

0.03 

0.007 

o.i H 2 

Od 

O.d 

o.2 

0 09 

0.02 

l.l Id " 

1) s 

0.000 

o 2 

O.OOS 

Sheh I 

•I 4 

s 

0.4 

0 00' ' 

ooos 

0 004 

-• 

-

'.v eight gain 

3? 
P.41 

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1

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¥/ 
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