Electroless Plating
Electroless plating, also known as chemical or auto-catalytic plating, is a type of plating that does not use electricity. Electroless plating involves several simultaneous reactions in an aqueous solution.
Quick links to Electroless Plating Information
Applications of Electroless Plating
Electroless plating is most commonly used for nickel plating.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Electroless Plating
Electroless plating is generally used in place of electrolytic plating in order to achieve plating that has a consistent, even thickness, even on irregularly-shaped pieces. In addition, unlike electrolytic plating, electroless plating can be deposited on non-conductive surfaces.
The main drawback of electroless plating is the chemical treatment that a piece must undergo before it is plated. A piece must be cleaned several rounds of pre-treatment chemicals to eliminate unwanted soils in order to achieve good plating.
