Lubricoat is a new and technical plating application with numerous uses. A codeposit
of electroless nickel and teflon® is excellent for corrosion protection, lubricity and
hardness. Lubricoat is an autocatalytic chemical reaction between electroless
nickel, teflon®, and the plating substrate at a temperature of 180-200º F. Due to
the absence of anodes, a uniform deposit will be achieved whatever the geometrical
configuration of the tool being plated.
Chemical bath make-up consists of:
| Nickel |
64-72% |
| Phosphorous |
9-10% |
| Teflon® |
18-24% |
| Lubricity-inducing polymers |
1-2% |
The applications for Lubricoat are numerous.
Lubricoat performs well on plastic molds, silicone rubber molds, nuts, bolts,
clutch parts for the automotive industry, gears, and textile equipment, due to its
excellent release properties, corrosion protection, uniformity of plating and hardness.
These combined characteristics contribute to an outstanding coating.
Optimum Thickness: Lubricoat can be
deposited anywhere from .00005 to .001; however, .0003 to .0005 is normal. Lubricoat
is closely monitored during plating allowing thickness to be controlled to the nearest
tenth.
Hard-to-Plate areas: Lubricoat will
plate in corners and hard-to-plate areas because anodes are not present. Lubricoat
will plate evenly no matter what the tool size and shape. Plating will occur
wherever the solution flows. Parts have been plated in a diameter as small as .020
and widths as small as .010.
Hardness: The Rockwell of Lubricoat
as plated ranges anywhere from 48-59 RC depending on the electroless nickel bath used.
Heat treating at 550° F for size hours will increase the Rockwell to almost 70,
but because of the presence of teflon®, friction will be reduced to give a higher
superficial hardness.
Adherence: Lubricoat will adhere to
almost all tool steels, aluminum, copper, beryllium and brass.
Selective Plating: Lubricoat can be
plated in selective areas. Progress For Industry has many years experience with
masking techniques designed for both large and very small tools.
Polishing: Lubricoat can be polished
after plating. Lubricoat is a surface coating and not impregnated, a tool can be
polished back to its original finish.
Removal: Lubricoat can be chemically
stripped off.
Maximum Temperature: The melting
temperature of teflon®, a main ingredient of Lubricoat, 750° F. If working
temperature exceeds this, electroless nickel is an excellent substitute. Electroless
nickel melts at about 1600° F. Progress For Industry can provide this plating.
