Technical Report
Nickel Sulfamate Additives “NSF series”
Nickel Sulfamate Additives “NSF series”
—High-performance additives optimizing plating properties—
For many years, Nihon Kagaku Sangyo Co., Ltd. (President: KADOYA Hiroki) has been meeting the needs for surface treatment in diverse applications such as electronic components, plastic molding, and electroforming . By leveraging our know-how in surface treatment, we supply nickel sulfamate products, as well as various sulfamate salts and additives, that meet a diverse range of needs.
As information technology (IT) has proliferated in recent years, electronic components in most IT devices have become even more sophisticated and highly integrated. This in turn has led to increasing demands being placed on the performance of surface treatment agents used for such IT devices.
At Nihon Kagaku Sangyo, we supply nickel sulfamate products, as well as various sulfamate salts and additives based on our proprietary core technology for surface treatment. These products, which allow a high degree of control over the plating layer in terms of precision, hardness, and internal stress, are trusted by many of our customers, both domestic and overseas.
【What is nickel sulfamate plating? 】
Owing to its corrosion resistance, nickel is widely used in surface treatment of metal products. Nickel electroplating baths include “Watts bath,” which uses nickel sulfate, and “nickel sulfamate bath,” which uses nickel sulfamate. Compared to Watts bath, a nickel sulfamate bath using nickel sulfamate, an ionic compound of sulfamic acid and nickel, allows finer plating, and is suited to application in electronic components and precision instruments.
Furthermore, depending on the combination of additives used, a nickel sulfamate bath can also be used to control the physical properties of the plating layer, or to lower the environmental impact of electroplating, and consequently, there is an increasing demand for it in a broad range of industries.
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It enables faster plating than the conventional nickel sulfate bath (Watts bath).
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It has a simple composition, which makes it easier to handle.
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It has high water solubility, which enables use at high concentration and the application of high current.
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It forms a plating layer with very low internal stress, which makes it suitable for various electroforming applications, such as metal masks and stampers. ＊1
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It has high purity, which enables the formation of very fine electrodeposits (plating layer). ＊2
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It is not easily affected by impurities.
【 Nickel sulfamate dedicated additives “NSF series“ 】
- A high-performance additive solution optimizing plating properties
Additives in a nickel sulfamate bath determine the quality and function of plating. The NSF series is a series of high-performance additives based on the technologies we have cultivated through long-term research and development.
- Response to diverse appearance characteristics
Through various additives designed to meet appearance needs, such as brightening and half brightening, it provides surface finishes that meet customer needs.
- Superior plating layer properties
It achieves high adhesion and uniform film forming simultaneously and is also suitable for the high-speed plating process. Just adding it to a plating bath will enable adjustment to the optimal plating properties that meet the required specifications.
- Fundamental technology that supports social infrastructure
It is a reliable platform that supports solutions for industry challenges, including the size reduction and sophistication of electronic devices, increased resource and energy saving in manufacturing processes, and the stable operation of social infrastructure, such as medical care, communication, and automobiles. It achieves both product quality and production efficiency through precise plating control.
＜NSF series＞
We have a series of functional additives covering a broad range of plating needs. We support the chemical selection and process optimization that are most suitable for specific technological challenges, including internal stress and surface condition.
【 Development object, additive “NSF-WE,” which achieves productivity and quality simultaneously 】
The NSF-WE is a high-performance additive developed to improve the performance of nickel sulfamate solution. With the following features, it accommodates diverse manufacturing processes from barrel plating to hoop plating, solving challenges faced by production sites.
- Innovative effects in barrel plating
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It significantly improves the fluidity of the plating solution, achieving uniform electrodeposition over the entire product.
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Its superior permeability improves yields by preventing minute products from sticking to each other.
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It minimizes the occurrence of foaming even when the rotating speed of the barrel is raised. ＊1
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It improves liquid exhaustion and reduces the amount of plating solution to be drawn, contributing to enhanced cost efficiency.
- Response to an increased speed of hoop plating
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It suppresses the occurrence of burning in high-current-density areas. ＊2
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The improved fluidity of the plating solution ensures uniform electrodeposition.
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It minimizes the occurrence of foaming even under strong agitation conditions, such as reel running and air agitation. ＊1
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It achieves both increased production speed and quality.
The NSF-WE is a next-generation additive solution that achieves both an increased efficiency of manufacturing sites and enhanced product quality.
＜Comparative study of “low-foaming performance”＊1＞
It minimizes the occurrence of foaming even when the agitation speed is raised. It can be used in a stable manner even under a severe environment, including barrel plating, which has faced the challenge of foaming in the past.
＜Suppression of burning ＊2＞
By enhancing the permeability and fluidity of the plating solution, it effectively suppresses the occurrence of burning in high-current-density areas.
| Measurement conditions | |
|---|---|
| Measurement method | Hull Cell test |
| Temperature | 50℃ |
| Current/time | 7.5A・4分 |
| Agitation | Air agitation |
【 Stable supply and technical support backed by domestic production 】
We develop and produce nickel sulfamate and other superior surface treatment agents within Japan, primarily at our R&D Center and Saitama Plant, thus ensuring the stable supply of our products. In addition, we developed a system for provision of attentive technical support in conjunction with our other domestic sites. This allows us to meet a diverse range of surface treatment needs. We offer solutions for a broad range of substrate materials and shapes; please do not hesitate to contact us with your inquiries.
The R&D Center takes action according to the customer’s problems and requests, and also evaluates and analyzes our products. For more than 80 years, Nihon Kagaku Sangyo has stood alongside to its customers and assisted them in solving their issues.
Detailed product information and technical information on NSF series
can be downloaded fromhere.