Alkaline electroless nickel boron (NiB) is an autocatalytic coating process. The coating is deposited from an aqueous solution which contains either an alkylamineborane or sodium borohydride as a reducing agent, a source of nickel Ions, a buffer, complexant, and control chemicals. Alkaline nickel boron coatings are classified as Type 1, Nickel thallium boron or Type 2, nickel boron.
Contents
Characteristics
As-plated grains of amorphous nickel boron deposit in a columnar structure with the columns being perpendicular to the substrate surface and forming a nodular topography on the surface. Coating will contain 2.5-8% boron by weight.
Generation 1
Type 1, Nickel boron thallium
The original Bellis formulation, (US patent 3674447, H.E. Bellis ), was modified by adding stronger chelating agents to produce generation 1 nickel boron. A method for applying nickel boron to titanium without fatiguing the titanium substrate was also developed.
Generation 2
Type 1, Nickel boron thallium
In 1986, generation 2 nickel boron, (US patent 5019163, C. Edward McComas ), was developed which further increased stability and repeat-ability of the process. These changes qualified the process for more stringent quality control programs.
Generation 3
Type 1, Nickel boron thallium
Introduced in 1994 and patented in 1998, (US patent 6183546, C. Edward McComas ), Generation 3 was introduced, which could be replenished while in use versus the earlier generations that were operated as batch systems enabling high-volume production within a 3% standard deviation.
Generation 4
Type 2, Nickel boron
In 2000, the patent was issued for Generation 4 nickel boron, (US patent 6066406, C. Edward McComas ). Generation 4 was characterized by the implementation of lead tungstate as the stabilizer in place of thallium sulfate. UCT Coatings Inc. holds the exclusive rights to Generation 4 under the brand names UltraCem, Fail Zero, and EXO.
Applications
Nickel boron coatings are columnar in growth, resulting in a distinct nodular topography which serves to reduce surface-to-surface contact of two mating/sliding surfaces reducing drag/friction. The nodular structure dissipates heat at greater efficiency due to greater surface area. The combination is advantageous when used on saw blades as an example by greatly reducing the drag and temperature of a Nickel Boron-coated saw blade, US application 20090205470-A1, published 2009-08-20 . The nodular structure also reduces drag in both aerodynamic and fluids such applied to ship propellers (US application 20090123777-A1, published 2009-05-14 ), down-hole crude oil pumping equipment, bushings, thrust washers used for a wide verity of automotive and truck transmissions, guide plates for paper handling equipment, and greaseless guns (US patent 6782650, Edward McComas ).