WHAT'S NEW at APC?

30% Energy Savings Realized in Green HVAC Controls Initiative - By integrating state-of-the art PLC controls with Artistic’s existing advanced fiber optic SCADA control network a savings of over 30% in overall energy usage was experienced this past winter season.

Expansion in Commercial and Precision Passivation Services Coming May 2010 - Due to continued growth in the demand for passivation services Artistic Plating is adding an additional processing line to provide expanded capacity in both heated and room temperature citric and nitric acid systems including the AAA Method of passivation.

Find Artistic Plating on LinkedIn - If you would like to network with Artistic Plating we would encourage you to visit our account on Linked In.

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Black Nickel Plating (Electroplating) Services per MIL-P-18317

Artistic Plating Company provides innovation in decorative and functional black nickel plating services to MIL-P-18317.  Our expertise in providing precision barrel, rack and vibratory black nickel plating services is currently employed in numerous industries including the defense, aerospace, electronics, instrument, ammunition and telecommunications industries. 

Artistic offers a wide range of black nickel plating services ranging from bright “jet-black” deposits to satin “charcoal gray” finishes.  The characteristics and appearance of our black nickel plating services are a function of the basis material and/or underplating that is plated prior to the black nickel topcoat.  Generally speaking, a highly polished substrate with a bright nickel underplate will result in a jet-black, bright finish often referred to as a “black chrome” appearance.  Conversely, a matte or satin substrate such as a machined or grained surface coupled with a satin nickel underplate such as electroless nickel will produce a satin charcoal gray appearance.

The corrosion performance of Artistic Plating’s black nickel plating services is primarily a function of the total finishing system.  If a specific corrosion performance is required the type, thickness and number of underplates used can be engineered to meet your finishing requirements (reference What causes metals to oxidize or “rust” in our Plating Topics section).  

Black Nickel Plating Services – Black Nickel Properties

Artistic Plating’s black nickel plating services are a codeposit of tin and nickel ina common plated layer.  As a result the black nickel properties are a mix of that of nickel plating and tin plating.  The hardness of the black nickel deposit is consistent with nickel deposits.  However, due to its relatively thin deposit thickness of 1um (0.00004 inches) it can be susceptible to break through in high wear applications.  Black nickel plating services by Artistic can be certified RoHS Compliant.

Artistic Plating’s black nickel plating services provide a highly conductive surface and has excellent “throw” or ability to plate uniformly on complex geometries.  The codeposited tin in the black nickel affords an inherent lubricity exceeding that of common nickel deposits.  An underplate of electroless nickel can further enhance the lubricity of the overall deposit.  Black nickel can be used where high emisivity is required such as optics, solar panel applications, aerospace and defense weapons systems.  

Black Nickel Plating Services –Black Nickel Specifications

The most common black nickel plating service certified by Artistic Plating is MIL-P-18317.  Artistic Plating also can certify our black nickel plating services to most company specific black nickel specifications.  A summary of the MIL spec is provided below:

Black Nickel Plating to MIL-P-18317

MIL-P-18317 does not provide a Type, Class or Grade callout.  A few key points regarding the specification are summarized as follows:

3.3.1.  Unless otherwise specified, in the contract or order, the black nickel plating shall be applied to the basis metal without intermediate coating after all mechanical operations on the basis metal.

3.3.2 Intermediate Coating:  When specified in the contract or order, an intermediate coating such as nickel plating shall be applied to the basis metal for the purpose of improving the corrosion protection.

3.4.1 Color of the Deposit:  The deposit shall be a uniform black color which shall conform to the color of the approved sample (as approved by the customer).

6.3 Definition of black nickel plating – this section outlines a common “historic” black nickel formulation.  The section permits for any available formulation to be used by stating, “The (above) formula is typical of the thiocyanate baths employed for black nickel plating.  Other formulas for black nickel solution producing an equivalent coating may be used.

Black Nickel Plating Services – Why Artistic Plating? 

Artistic Plating provides expertise in black nickel plating services to fulfill even the most demanding applications. From prototyping and PPAP qualification to full production processing – it is Artistic’s dedicated effort to exceed your expectations.  The following points highlight why Artistic Plating is a leader in black nickel plating services:

• The “Best” Black:  There are numerous black nickel systems available to job shops today – we’ve tried them all.  Artistic’s current nickel-tin alloy black nickel plating system has proven itself over our long history with black nickels to be the most consistent, durable and blackest of all commercially available systems.
• Diversity of substrates:  Artistic Plating provides black nickel plating services on nearly any metallic substrate such as copper & copper alloys including beryllium, chromium and tellurium coppers, hardened and alloyed steels, stainless steels, Inconels, Hastalloys, Monels, ductile & cast iron and metalized plastics.
• Delicate and Difficult Geometries:  Artistic Plating offers black nickel plating services on delicate parts employing specialty oscillating, rock-and-roll, compartmentalized, vibratory and minimum part movement barrel technologies as well as custom-engineered rack fixturing when required to ensure even the most delicate parts are handled properly.  Artistic has a working R&D relationship with several tooling manufactures that has lead to several patented designs.
• RoHS and REACH Compliance:  Artistic is at the forefront of environmental compliance and can certify our black nickel plating services as needed to the current RoHS, ELV and REACH regulations.
• Competitive Pricing:  Artistic Plating has been providing quality black nickel plating services for over twenty years.  Competitive pricing in black nickel plating services is paramount to gaining and maintaining our customers in today’s competitive global marketplace. 
• Lean Lead Times:  With inventories leaner than ever, rapid turn around is a core company value to ensure the service our customers need in black nickel plating services.
• Value Added:  Artistic prides itself on meeting the customer’s needs.  Whether it’s custom engineering packaging, vacuum or nitrogen sealed packaging to enhance storage, Kanban inventory management, light subassembly or multiple finishing combinations – Artistic will work with you to ensure we meeting your needs in black nickel finishing services.

Extensive in House Analytical and Quality Lab Services:  SPC is employed in all wet-lab work surrounding our black nickel plating services to ensure baths are analyzed and adjusted at optimum frequencies to verify operation between critical upper and lower control points.  Our quality lab employs the latest in x-ray, coulometric and spectrophotometer technologies to inspect your parts and will work to your requirements to provide testing as needed.  Our quality lab can certify salt spray performance to ASTM B117, adhesion to ASTM B571 and solderability to ASTM B678.  Mounted cross sections of parts are also available.