Advantages of Ni-BN over Ni-PTFE hybrid coatings
- ready-made, easy-to-use system
- low coefficient of friction and excellent release capability even at high temperatures
- increased surface hardness due to temperability above 450°C, e.g. in case of Nickel (upper limit for heat treatment of Ni-PTFE is approx. 220°C).
- easy recovery of Boron Nitride and re-utilization for new process cycles
- Boron Nitride is environmentally friendly and non-toxic
- no harmful fluorinated surfactants needed
HENZE offers:
- a wide spectrum of HeBoCoat®-G materials for dispersion plating with hBN particle size ranging from less than 100 nm to several µm.
- expert advice regarding the use of HeBoCoat®-G suspensions in electrogalvanic and autocatalytic baths
- possibility of a
research and development partnership for innovative solutions - just-in-time-delivery thanks to a refined logistics system, and consequently, a high degree of customer satisfaction
Dispersion Layers using HENZE Boron Nitride
Limitations of Ni-PTFE dispersion layers
There is a growing demand, originating mainly from the automotive and machinery sectors, for self-lubricating coatings with good sliding qualities, high wear resistance and/or anti-stick characteristics. To obtain these particular surface properties, different materials must be combined in hybrid layers. This is done by dispersing functional particles – up to now mostly PTFE – in the galvanic bath and depositing them together with the metal, e.g. nickel, on the substrate. There are certain drawbacks, however. PTFE has a relatively low temperature resistance which considerably limits its usefulness. More recently, there is evidence that the fluorinated surfactants needed to disperse the PTFE pose a risk to health.
NEW: Ready-made Boron Nitride Suspensions
There is now an option technically and economically superior to PTFE: Our new ready-made HeBoCoat® galvanic suspensions. These suspensions are added directly to the galvanic bath. They contain Boron Nitride with an average grain size in the sub-µm range. Download Technical Information “Hexagonal Boron Nitride in Dispersion Plating”.
Boron Nitride resists high temperatures and maintains its excellent dry lubricating and release properties up to 900°C in air.
Consequently, the range of possible applications for hard coatings generated by dispersion plating is considerably expanded (further advantages are detailed in the list to the right).
Hybrid coatings with Boron Nitride make both fluorinated surfactants and increasing the concentration of the baths unnecessary
In the US there is a growing demand of Boron Nitride for electroplating. Its use in this sector, therefore, is not quite new. What is entirely new is the particle coating developed by HENZE which facilitates the dispersion and homogeneous distribution of the Boron Nitride particles in both electrogalvanic and electroless baths. Dispersion aids such as fluorinated surfactants are no longer needed.
Moreover, it will not be necessary to increase the concentration of the baths (see diagrams “Positive Zeta Potential” and “Aqueous Dispersions”). We strongly believe that our ready-made HeBoCoat® electroplating suspensions will lead to an upsurge in innovation and to the development of new applications and products.
Find new technical solutions in the area of self lubricating coatings and electroplating!
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