THE MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO NICKEL AND ITS APPLICATIONS
March 2008
Volume 23, Number 2
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Nickel-coated powders are used in electromagnetic interference shielding for electronics, in
nickel-coated abrasives and cutting tools, and in thermal arc spray coatings.
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Many applications rely on fast, uniform coatings
By Carroll McCormick
Nickel Magazine, March 2008 -- Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc., of
Midland, Ontario, Canada, is using its nickel vapour deposition (NVD) process to apply uniform coatings of
nickel to powders. Nano-particles as small as tens of microns can be coated, and the coating thickness can be
controlled over a broad range (10-80% by weight, for example).
Nickel-coated powders are used in electromagnetic interference shielding for electronics, in nickel-coated
abrasives and cutting tools, and in thermal arc spray coatings.
NVD turns nickel powder and carbon monoxide into nickel carbonyl gas. In the powder coater, the gas
converts back to nickel on contact with the substrate material at temperatures ranging from 130 to 170ºC. The
carbon monoxide is returned to the system for reuse.
“We can coat a lot of different powders easily and in large quantities,” says Alan Horst, manager of
Weber’s NVD plant.
The company has test-coated aluminum and graphite powders. Its research and development coater can coat 30
kilograms of substrate with six kilograms of nickel in three hours. A full-scale production unit will be able
to coat about 150 kg of substrate in the same time. Since this plant is capable of preparing 150,000 kg of
nickel a year, the company could easily bring additional powder coaters on stream as demand increases.
In addition to achieving uniform coatings, the NVD process is about 20 times faster than electroplating.
Also, there is no need for drying afterwards: the powder is ready for use immediately after the coating.
Carroll McCormick is a Montreal-based freelance writer.
Photos: WEBER MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES INC.
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