two overlapping metal tiles contain periodic symbol icons for Palladium and Nickel, representing the chemistry needed to create a Palladium-Nickel Alloy

Palladium-Nickel Electroplating

Palladium-Nickel Electroplating refers to coating with a precious Palladium-Nickel alloy, created by combining Palladium with Nickel in a variety of chemical ratios. The ratio of Nickel to Palladium varies to provide fine-tuned performance results optimal for specific applications. However, all the ratios of this alloy are generally selected because they deliver the sought-after performance qualities for which Nickel is known. With some minor adjustments in plating specifications, Palladium-Nickel is often used as a cost-efficient alternative to Gold Plating.

Summit electroplates using Palladium-Nickel to deliver many performance advantages:

Palladium-Nickel is more affordable than gold
Palladium-Nickel delivers excellent ductile resistance
Palladium-Nickel has a low density and offers excellent solderability
Palladium-Nickel is harder the majority most gold plating chemistries
Palladium-Nickel offers great heat and stress resistance
Palladium-Nickel offers excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance
Palladium-Nickel reduces usage of precious metal resources

Palladium Nickel plating that meets tight industry specs

Electroplating with Palladium-Nickel at Summit provides both overall coverage and selective coverage to meet required specifications that include ASTM B867. Within this specification, we offer a range of chemistry ratios:

ASTM B867 | Type I: made of 75% Palladium 75% and 25% Nickel
ASTM B867 | Type II: made of 80% Palladium and 20% Nickel
ASTM B867 | Type III: made of 85% Palladium and 15% Nickel
ASTM B867 | Type IV: made of 90% Palladium and 10% Nickel

Plating thicknesses to meet application needs.

The thickness of Summit’s Palladium-Nickel Electroplating corresponds to the specified end application. Thinner coatings are generally used for delicate electronic circuits and connectors — thicker coatings are required on parts subject to intense electrical, mechanical, and environmental activity.

Enhancing Palladium Nickel plating with secondary coatings

Underplating with Palladium-Nickel
Underplating with Nickel prior to plating with a Palladium-Nickel alloy provides a protective corrosion inhibiting barrier. This barrier helps prevent the migration porous base substrates like copper from diffusing through to the Palladium-Nickel layer.

Overplating with Palladium-Nickel
Summit can also combine Palladium-Nickel with a gold flash overcoat. This dual process delivers the enhanced conductivity and friction-free characteristics of gold — all with significant cost savings compared to thicker gold plating.

A plating alloy as versatile as the industries it serves

The durable, functional, affordable characteristics of Palladium-Nickel Plating make it a popular, economical choice for electrical contacts, connectors, pins, circuits and components used in Aerospace, Telecom, Medical, Oil & Gas, and other inportant Electronics technology. For companies looking to cut cost without cutting spec-meeting performance, the answer just might be Sunnit Plating’s Palladium-Nickel Electroplating!

Summit Palladium-Nickel Electroplating Overview

Palladium-Nickel Plating: Capabilities

Palladium Nickel

Wire

Continuous Pre-Stamped Parts

Continuous Stock

Loose Parts

Spec Compliance

ASTM B867

Palladium-Nickel Plating: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What is palladium-nickel plating?

It’s an alloy coating combining palladium’s hardness and conductivity with nickel’s corrosion resistance. It’s used as a gold alternative in electronics.

Q: Why use palladium-nickel instead of gold?

It provides many of gold’s benefits at a lower cost. It also resists wear and tarnish better than silver.

Q: How thick is palladium-nickel plating?

Typical thickness ranges from 20 to 100 microinches, depending on the application and required durability.

Q: Is palladium-nickel good for connectors?

Yes, it offers low contact resistance, excellent wear resistance, and is widely used in electronic connector plating.

Q: Does palladium-nickel resist corrosion?

Yes, it resists both oxidation and wear, making it suitable for harsh environments.

Q: Is palladium-nickel plating solderable?

Direct soldering may be difficult; typically, a thin gold or tin flash layer is added over palladium-nickel to improve solderability.

Q: What industries use palladium-nickel plating?

Electronics, telecommunications, and automotive industries use it for cost-effective, durable contact coatings.

Q: How does palladium-nickel compare to silver plating?

It doesn’t conduct as well as silver but is more stable and doesn’t tarnish. It’s also better for long-term reliability.

Q: Does palladium-nickel reduce reliance on gold?

Yes, many manufacturers use it as a cost-saving alternative, especially in high-volume connector production.

Q: Is palladium-nickel plating environmentally friendly?

Yes, it avoids cyanide-based baths and provides stable coatings without significant environmental hazards.

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