Optimization of Stainless-Steel Surface Pretreatments for Nickel Electrodeposition

Abstract

Electroplating nickel onto stainless steel is recognized for enhancing corrosion and wear resistance, providing an attractive finish, and serving as a foundational layer to improve adhesion for subsequent coatings. While ASTM B254 outlines general deposition conditions for preparing stainless steel surfaces for electrodeposition, there is a notable absence of a comprehensive, non-proprietary guide detailing pretreatment methods for various stainless-steel alloys to facilitate nickel electrodeposition. This study addresses this gap by examining pretreatment techniques, such as acid activation and the duration of strike depositions (from a Woods bath). Here, we discuss our findings and provide details on the necessary conditions for achieving well-adhered nickel coatings on 17-4 stainless steel, 304 stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, and their additive-manufactured (AM) counterparts. The quality of the coatings is quantitatively assessed through solder pin pull tests, with failure modes analyzed via optical microscopy, SEM/EDX, and LIBS to determine whether failures occur in the solder, within the nickel coating, or at the nickel/steel interface. Additional evaluations include corrosion resistance and bend tests in accordance with ASTM B571. This research aims to provide valuable insights for optimizing nickel plating conditions on stainless steel systems.