Electroless Nickel Plating
No current. No variation. Uniform deposit on every surface.
- EN Plating
Overview
What Is Electroless Nickel Plating?
Electroless nickel (EN) plating is a chemical deposition process — no electrical current required. A nickel alloy deposits uniformly across the entire part surface through an autocatalytic reaction, regardless of geometry. Every recess, every edge, every internal surface receives the same coating thickness.
This distinguishes EN from electroplating, where current density variations produce uneven deposits — thicker on edges and corners, thinner in recesses. EN eliminates that problem entirely.
The alloy composition depends on the type: nickel-phosphorus for wear and corrosion resistance, nickel-boron for maximum hardness as a chrome alternative.
Electroless vs. Electroplated Nickel
Uniform deposit thickness
No edge build-up, no thin spots in recesses — every surface identical.
Works on any substrate
Conductive and non-conductive materials — steel, aluminum, copper, plastics.
Reliable adhesion
Bonds at the molecular level — no mechanical interlocking required.
Wear and corrosion resistance
Superior to electroplated nickel in both functional properties.
Process Types
Three Electroless Nickel Processes. One Supplier.
KC Jones runs nickel-phosphorus, nickel-boron, and aluminum-specific electroless nickel — covering everything from general wear and corrosion protection to aerospace-grade hard chrome replacement.
Nickel-Phosphorus
EN-Phosphorus
The most widely used electroless nickel process. Uniform deposit of a nickel-phosphorus alloy — tunable hardness and corrosion resistance through phosphorus content (2–14%). Available in low, mid, and high phosphorus grades. Rack and barrel at Michigan and Indiana.
Nickel-Boron
EN-Boron
Hard chrome replacement
KC Jones proprietary process. Harder than chrome, better wear resistance, no hexavalent chromium. 70 HRC+, excellent heat resistance to 1,976°F. Black, matte, or polished finish. No hydrogen embrittlement.
Aluminum Substrate
EN on Aluminum
Aluminum is reactive and soft — prone to corrosion in acidic and alkaline environments and susceptible to pitting, galling, and wear. EN bonds at the molecular level, sealing the substrate and providing a hard, uniform finish that extends part life significantly. Available at our Michigan facility.
Applications
Industries & Common Parts
Electroless nickel is specified wherever uniform deposit thickness is critical — complex geometries, internal surfaces, and precision parts that can’t tolerate thickness variation.
Industries served
- Automotive — OEM and Tier-1 powertrain, drivetrain, fuel systems
- Aerospace & Defense — flight-critical components, precision housings, defense systems
- Oil & Gas — pump bodies, valves, downhole equipment
- Electronics — heat sinks, connectors, circuit components
- Industrial — hydraulics, pneumatics, heavy equipment
Common part types
- Pistons & cylinders
- Engine bearings & gear assemblies
- Fuel injectors & carburetor parts
- Hose couplings & fittings
- Shock absorbers & suspension parts
- Heat sinks
- Pump bodies & impellers
- Valve bodies & stems
- Precision housings & enclosures
- Die castings & aluminum parts
Environmental compliance
- RoHS — Restriction of Hazardous Substances compliant
- ELV — Automotive End of Life Vehicle Directive — lead-free, cadmium-free
- WEEE — Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment compliant
Quality & Compliance
ISO 9001:2015 Certified. Compliant by design.
Both EN facilities — Michigan and Indiana — operate under ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management systems. Environmental compliance is built into our chemistry selection and process design, not retrofitted after the fact.
Ready to Discuss Your Electroless Nickel Program?
Whether you need EN-P for wear resistance, EN-Boron as a chrome replacement, or a solution for aluminum substrates — our technical team can confirm the right process and verify KC Jones can run your program at the volume and specification you need.