Chemische Vernicklung

The book Chemical Nickel Plating – Nickel-Phosphorus Coatings – Production, Properties and Applications – was inspired by a suggestion made in 2001 by Mr Kurt Reichert, then head of Eugen G. Leuze Verlag. He believed that it was time to update the book Functional Chemical Nickel Plating by Dr. Wolfgang Riedel (1936–1992), which was published by his publishing house in 1989.

In view of the extensive research results and findings that were already available at that time (between 1990 and 2001, around 350 articles on the subject had been published in various specialist journals in English and German alone), I agreed to take up his suggestion. However, the undertaking resulted in a new book entitled ‘Nickel-Phosphorus Layers’, as it deals exclusively with autocatalytically deposited nickel-phosphorus layers with phosphorus contents between 3 and 15 mass percent. In terms of its concept and focus, it is aimed not only at specialists in chemical nickel plating, but primarily at those who want to become specialists.

The first chapter of the book (introduction) provides an overview of the topic and summarises what is then discussed in detail in chapters 2 to 14, taking into account the monograph by W. Riedel, according to the following structure: Chapter 15 presents numerous application examples for Ni/P coatings, Ni/P alloy coatings and Ni/P dispersion coatings. The last three chapters, which deal with the material-specific pre-treatment of components, industrial chemical nickel plating processes, the influence of Ni/P coatings on component properties and, finally, the stripping of these coatings, should be of particular interest to those who have made chemical nickel plating their profession.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the authors whose publications and books I have quoted in this book, and at the same time ask for their indulgence in that it was not always possible to obtain personal permission. Several chapters of this book (see the following list) have been critically reviewed by experts. I would like to express my sincere thanks to U. Bingel (Carl Zeiss, AG, Oberkochen), R. Gather, S. Gerhold, J. Heydecke and Dr. W. Richtering (Atotech Deutschland GmbH, Berlin), A. Holländer (AIMT Holding
GmbH, Kerpen), Dr K.-H. Pietsch (CK-Oberfl äche, Bielefeld) and Mr A. Schütte (Herbert Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG, Solingen).

1. Introduction (Dr W. Richtering)
2. Nickel-phosphorus electrolytes (J. Heydecke)
3. Deposition of Ni/P layers (A. Holländer)
4. Formation of Ni/P layers (Dr K.-H. Pietsch)
5. Microstructure and texture of Ni/P layers
6. General characteristics of Ni/P layers
7. Physical properties of Ni/P layers
8. Mechanical properties of Ni/P layers (Dr. S. Gerhold)
9. Tribological properties of Ni/P layers
10. Chemical properties of Ni/P coatings (Dr K.-H. Pietsch, A. Holländer)
11. Technological properties of Ni/P coatings (A. Holländer, A. Schütte)
12. Optimisation through heat treatment
13. Optimisation through dispersion particles (A. Holländer. A. Schütte)
14. Optimisation through alloying elements
15. Areas of application (U. Bingel)
16. Pre-treatment of components (A. Holländer, A. Schütte)
17. Industrial processes of chemical nickel plating (R. Gather, J. Heydecke)
18. Influence of chemical nickel plating on component properties
19. Stripping of Ni/P layers

I would also like to express my gratitude to all my former colleagues in the Materials Science department at Atotech Deutschland GmbH, Berlin, for carrying out investigations and measurements. I would particularly like to thank Dr N. Bäulke, O. Degner, Dr S. Gerhold, B. Heintze, D. Nitsche, Th. Posthumus, Dr R. Schulz and N. Spartalis. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ms E. Labrenz for her careful preparation of the numerous diagrams and drawings.

Last but not least, I would like to express my special thanks to Atotech Deutschland GmbH, Berlin, for allowing me to use the company's own research results in the field of chemical nickel plating for this book, but also for generously providing the necessary resources.

N. Kanani
Berlin, June 2007

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