NIPLATE® eXtreme
Electroless nickel plating
Niplate eXtreme is an electroless nickel coating developed specifically to increase corrosion resistance, especially on aluminum alloys.
A dedicated research project optimized the nickel-alloy deposition parameters to improve the performance of coated aluminum components. This led to Niplate eXtreme, which protects aluminum parts exposed to corrosion and repeated wetting.
The coating has very low porosity, increasing salt spray resistance and limiting underfilm oxidation.
The coating can be applied to all aluminum alloys, both wrought/machined alloys such as the 7000 and 2000 families employed in the aeronautical industry and in the racing sector (F1 and MotoGP), and cast and die-cast alloys with high silicon contents.

EXCELLENT CHEMICAL AND CORROSION RESISTANCE
Its near-zero porosity, excellent adhesion and high chemical resistance give Niplate eXtreme outstanding corrosion resistance, especially on aluminum alloys. The coating withstands 720 hours of neutral salt spray (NSS) without the onset of corrosion.
METAL COATING
Unlike anodizing, the coating is composed of a metal film similar to stainless steel in color. The coating retains its color and bright appearance over time, thanks to its high chemical resistance.
HIGH SURFACE HARDNESS
The coating offers high surface hardness assuring scratch and wear resistance while maintaining aesthetic appearance and corrosion resistance properties unchanged.
UNIFORM THICKNESS
Uniform and constant coating thickness over the entire surface, including holes; ideal for precision machined parts with tight tolerances and complex geometries.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Composition and applicable standards
| Composition | |
|---|---|
| Ni | P |
| 87÷92% | 8÷13% |
| Ni-P alloy, high phosphorus electroless nickel coating | |
| Technical standards |
|---|
| ISO 4527 | NiP |
| RoHS compliance |
|---|
| RoHS compliant. No restricted substances present in amounts greater than the maximum tolerated concentrations. |
| REACH compliance |
|---|
| REACH compliant. No SVHCs present in amounts higher than 0.1% by weight. |
Coatable metals
| Iron alloys | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | Adhesion | ★★★★★ |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Stainless steel | Pre-treatment | Sandblasting |
| Adhesion | ★★★★☆ | |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Case hardened steel | Pre-treatment | Sandblasting |
| Adhesion | ★★★★☆ | |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Copper alloys | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|
| Brass, Bronze, Copper | Adhesion | ★★★★★ |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Aluminum alloys | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|
| Wrought alloys | Adhesion | ★★★★☆ |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
| Cast alloys | Adhesion | ★★★★☆ |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★☆ | |
| Titanium alloys | Characteristics | |
|---|---|---|
| Pure titanium and titanium alloys | Pre-treatment | Sandblasting |
| Adhesion | ★★★★☆ | |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★★★ | |
Coating thickness and aesthetic appearance
| Coating thickness |
|---|
| Typical thickness |
| 15-20 µm |
| Uniform thickness over the entire external and internal surface |
| Absence of edge build-up typical of electroplated coatings |
| Aesthetic appearance |
|---|
| Bright stainless steel metallic appearance that reproduces the morphology of the machined part |
| Option of matt finish (sandblasted, shot peened, or grit blasted) |
Tribological properties
| Hardness | |
|---|---|
| Hardness value | Heat treatment |
| 600±100HV | Hydrogen embrittlement relief at 160-180°C for 4h |
| Wear resistance | |
|---|---|
| For applications in which the part is subject to intense wear, the use of Niplate 600 is recommended in place of Niplate eXtreme. Niplate eXtreme nevertheless offers good wear resistance. | |
| Guideline wear value, TWI-CS10 | Heat treatment |
| The lower the number, the higher the performance - ASTM B733 X1 - Taber Abraser wear test - CS 10 abrasive wheels - 1 kg load | |
| 20±2 mg / 1000 cycles | Hydrogen embrittlement relief at 160-180°C for 4h |
| Friction coefficient | |
|---|---|
| Dynamic dry friction coefficient value | |
| 0.4 ÷ 0.6 depending on the antagonist material | |
Chemical properties
| Corrosion resistance | |
|---|---|
| The Niplate eXtreme coating offers higher salt spray corrosion
resistance than conventional electroless nickel plating treatments,
especially on aluminum alloys. The corrosion protection of Niplate eXtreme, assessed by means of the salt spray test, depends on the base material, machining and finish of the part, and on the applied film thickness. | |
| Guideline corrosion resistance values | Substrate material |
| NSS to ISO 9227 - Thickness 20 μm - corroded surface < 5% | |
| ≥1000 hours | Brass |
| ≥240 hours | Carbon steel |
| ≥500 hours | Aluminum 6082 |
| Chemical resistance | |
|---|---|
| Excellent chemical and oxidation resistance in highly aggressive saline
environments. Passes the concentrated nitric acid immersion test (RCA nitric acid test: 42 degree Bé concentrated nitric acid, 30 seconds, ambient temperature). | |
| Chemical compatibility | |
| Indicative chemical compatibility values apply exclusively to the coating and do not define the corrosion protection of the substrate material. The overall performance of the coated part also depends strongly on the type and quality of the substrate material. Actual resistance under service conditions must be verified in the field. | |
| Hydrocarbons (e.g. petrol, diesel, mineral oil, toluene) | |
| Alcohols, ketones (e.g. ethanol, methanol, acetone) | |
| Neutral saline solutions (e.g. sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, seawater) | |
| Dilute reducing acids (e.g. citric acid, oxalic acid) | |
| Oxidizing acids (e.g. nitric acid) | |
| Concentrated acids (e.g. sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid) | |
| Dilute bases (e.g. dilute sodium hydroxide) | |
| Oxidizing bases (e.g. sodium hypochlorite) | |
| Concentrated bases (e.g. concentrated sodium hydroxide) | |
Physical properties
| Weldability |
|---|
| Easily brazed using RMA, RA acid fluxes. Weldable by laser or ultrasound. |
| Melting point, solidus |
|---|
| 870°C |
| Density |
|---|
| 8.0 g/cm3 |
DOWNLOADS
TECHNICAL GUIDE
Complete electroless nickel technical guide
Technical reference for electroless nickel plating in precision mechanics
- NIPLATE coating comparison
- ISO 4527 and ASTM B733
- Coating selection by application