Nickel Vapor Deposition (NVD)

Hi,

evaporation, sputtering. ionbeamdeposition and similar - all are costly as vacuum equipment is expensive in investment, operation and maintenance.

Depending on your application you may have more economic opportunities.

So to give a sound answer send some more details.

Happy holidays

RHABE

Thanks Rhabe

application is for molds from 3mm to 10mm thick up to 1 meter wide
Have tried electro forming with some success. but time required and chance of failing is high
But am all excited about NVD
I understand these things arnt cheap

Hi,

vacuum metal deposition is used with maximum thickness of 10µm so if you start with a vacuum process you need a second process to reach the desired thickness.

The maximum thickness used from vacuum deposition is dictated by cost considerations.

If thickening is done after vacuum coating (for example the nickel contact pads on semiconductor electrically conducting aluminum structures) this is done by electroless plating with pure Ni (soft) or NiP (high strength) but both with lilited thickness to near 100µm.

If thicker is necessary then a traditional galvanic process or a plastic coating or sometimes casting concrete or similar material to the back of the metal structure.

To have a look at used coating equipment look at lasermotion.com

a process for electroless nickel is sold by shipley (manufacturer of semiconductor processes)

thick nickel coating can be done by any galvanic shop.

Have success

RHABE

Is electro-chemical deposition viable here?

Speak to Teer Coatings Ltd (UK) who specialise in this type of equipment.