Hexavalent Chromium Restriction Preparation
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) short for directive on the use of certain hazardous substances, included hexavalent chromium, was adopted in 2013 by European Union. As well as, Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) addresses the production and uses of chemical substances, included hexavalent chromium too. Today, hard chromium electroplating process by using Cr+6 is still widely applied in various fields, such as vehicles, consumer applications, electrical appliances, industrial machinery, aerospace and medical instruments. For protecting human health and the environment from the risks posed by Cr+6, ECHA (European Chemical Agency) prepares a restriction proposal in the scope of Annex XIV: entries 16 to 22 and 28 to 31 on 6 June 2024. Various technologies to replace hexavalent chromium electroplating are gradually being developed by academia and industry, but performance, applicability, and mass production still require further adjustments.
100% Environmentally Friendly Nickel Electroplating Process - Nickel Nano Particle (NiNP) Electroplated
The latest nano-level nickel electroplating technology provides an alternative surface treatment of metal/plastic substrate providing high hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Nickel nano particle electroplating is a 100% environmentally friendly process that does not use hexavalent chromium, cyanide, or other toxic chemicals. This process results in a bright silver-yellow layer on metal/plastic substrates, offering a stable and high-performance surface coating.
Basic Characteristics of Nickel Nano Particle (NiNP) Electroplated
1. Can be directly electroplating onto various metal surfaces or surface-modified aluminum, magnesium, titanium, stainless steel, and plastic.
2. Compliance: Compatible with RoHS, ELV, and REACH regulations.
3. Nano Structure: The hard nickel nano structure conformed with smaller than 20 nanometers (nm) in grain size.
4. Coating Density: Coating density is 8.35 g/cm³ (variable with different operating conditions).
5. Layering Capability: can be applied as an intermediate or top layer in multiple nickel coatings.
6. Hardness: can be adjust structure to meet usage needs: 650HV, 750HV, 850HV, 950HV, or higher.
7. Thickness: 2-3μm, 3-5μm, 5-8μm, 8-12μm, 15-20μm, or others as required.
8. Corrosion Resistance: Corrosion potential (E_corr) is -0.26V, and corrosion current (I_corr) is 4.03x10-6 A/cm² for a sample test.
9. Adhesion: consistent with ASTM D3359 4B or DIN EN ISO 2409 Gt1 for a sample test.
10. Salt spray test: 72-hour least for 7.5μm on mild steel; 108-hour least for 3.5μm copper, according ASTM B117 NSS.
11. Electrical Properties: resistivity 40 to 90μΩ-cm for a sample test.
