The ceramic nickel (Cer-Ni) coating is a complex technology which co-deposits ceramic nano-particles with nickel on a duplex layer of high phosphorous nickel.
The (Cer-Ni) coating addresses all three fundamental reasons for coating precision parts: adhesive, abrasive and corrosive wear.
This composite coating has many applications across several industries, including but not restricted to: automotive, chemical, petroleum, food, printing, molds, dies, textile, etc.
Its characteristics include:
- Lowest coefficient of friction (COF) of all composites tested (decreases with increased load);
- Uniform particle distribution;
- Unlike PTFE (teflon), the Cer-Ni coating is very hard and resistant to temperatures up to 3000oC;
- Excellent release characteristics;
- Numerous wear and low COF applications;
- Very easy to clean;
- Not ideal for moderate or high-impact applications;
- Excellent for slide applications;
- Reduces galling; and
- Self-lubricating.
For plastic mold coatings, ceramic nickel can be the ideal solution. Its applications include:
► INJECTION CORES
The wear resistance and release properties of Cer-Ni coating outperforms chrome deposit.
► NECK INSERTS
The Cer-Ni coating greatly improves the ejection of wide-mouth pre-forms in horizontal injection molds.
► THIN WALL CONTAINER MOLDS
The Cer-Ni coating has an extremely low tendency to stick, thereby ensuring excellent release. The mold is very easy to clean. It has a very good wear resistance and highly improved corrosion protection. The deposit protects both cooling channels and water lines, rendering the mirror-finish polish option possible.
Field trials show that Cer-Ni lasts for over 6 years in high-speed injection molding applications with the possibility of reducing the cycle time by 25-30%, as the mold can be opened before the complete cool down.
► BLOW MOLD APPLICATION
PET leaves residue on stainless steel molds. The Cer-Ni coating reduces the mold surface oxidation and gives surface release, resulting in less frequent and faster cleaning.
Benefits of the blow molds coated with Cer-Ni improves production by offering:
- Better surface reproduction;
- Easier maintenance of cavities, as they stay clean longer;
- Improved venting, as vents plug up less frequently;
- Good wear;
- Excellent lubricity; and
- Good corrosion protection on water channels.
Questions & Answers
What is ceramic nickel?
Ceramic Nickel is a CMC developed technology that combines Electroless nickel with hexagonal and cubical particles of boron nitride on a duplex layer of high phosphorus EN.
Has a very low coefficient of friction, that decreases with load.
Has uniform particle incorporation into the deposit.
What are the applications for ceramic nickel?
Has multiple applications in as anti galling, tribological, self lubrication.
Greatly used in plastic injection for release properties and great wear resistance.
Injection cores, neck inserts, wide mouth pre-forms in horizontal injection molding, feed screws, blow molds, closure molds, lid molds, thick wall container molds, are just a few examples of parts that we coat with ceramic nickel at CMC.
What is the working temperature for ceramic nickel components?
Unlike the PTFE, ceramic particles are resistant to temperature as high as 3000C