Investigation of chemical nickel plating of powdered carborundum

Abstract

The technology of application of metal coatings on the surface of powder carborundum was developed. At the same time, the process of chemical nickel plating was used for this purpose. It was found that carborundum, although not included in the number of catalysts of this process, could contribute to the reduction of nickel ions. It was assumed that in the high-temperature decomposition of the hyposphyte ion, hydrogen evolution took place at the carborundum surface with a slowed-down stage by recombining hydrogen atoms into the molecule. The high reactivity of hydrogen atoms leads to the reduction of nickel ions. This makes it possible to activate the surface of carborundum and to further build up the metal under conditions typical for chemical nickel plating. Experiments in which the surface of the powder was investigated by means of a scanning electron microscope showed that such a mechanism for activating the powder surface was valid. Testing of this technology under laboratory conditions allowed obtaining a coating having the necessary adhesion to carborundum particles and containing 95 % of chemical nickel.