Palladium brings together the malleability, corrosion resistance and conductivity of gold with the brilliant appearance of silver. However, pure palladium finishes – especially when applied in thicker layers – can develop hydrogen bubbles or cracking that affect the coating’s durability and integrity.
To overcome these limitations, American Electro Products recommends a palladium-nickel alloy, particularly for high-stress or heat-exposed applications.
What Is Palladium-Nickel?
Palladium is a precious, lightweight metal known for its corrosion resistance, silver-white luster and ability to form ultra-thin, uniform coatings. Nickel, a durable base metal, enhances these properties when combined, resulting in a harder, more wear-resistant finish that holds up under demanding conditions.
For electroplating, palladium-nickel offers:
- 70% to 95% palladium, with the rest composed of nickel.
- Enhanced hardness (300–650 Knoop vs. 75–600 for palladium alone).
- Excellent heat and wear resistance.
- Produces a consistent finish with minimal surface irregularities and fewer plating variations.
- Compatibility with nickel underplate and gold overcoat for additional performance.
Industry standards like ASTM B867 require a minimum palladium content of 70%, ensuring consistent performance across applications.
Applications for Palladium-Nickel Plating
Palladium-nickel offers long-term reliability in environments with high heat, mechanical wear or corrosive exposure. It is frequently used in:
- Automotive parts requiring strong electrical contact and heat resistance.
- Medical-grade parts where biocompatibility and conductivity are critical.
- Electronics connectors, including contact points, circuits and switches.
Its alloy structure also allows for more durable coatings in smaller, lighter components.
How Palladium-Nickel Electroplating Works
- Underplating: A nickel base layer may be recommended for copper or porous materials to reduce oxidation, control diffusion and ensure a smoother final finish.
- Electroplating: Using rack or barrel plating, we apply a consistent layer of palladium-nickel ions to either the entire surface or select areas.
- Overplating: For enhanced conductivity and reduced friction, a gold overcoat may be added to deliver gold-like performance at a more affordable cost.
Our Services
At American Electro Products, we offer precision palladium-nickel plating solutions tailored to your application and compliance needs through:
- Custom Alloy Options: Choose from Type I (75% Pd / 25% Ni), Type II (80/20), Type III (85/15) and Type IV (90/10) compositions.
- Industry Compliance: Our plating meets ASTM B867 standards for thickness, adhesion, purity and overall appearance.
- Flexible Plating Methods: We provide full-surface or selective plating using barrel or rack electroplating methods, depending on the size and complexity of your parts.
Interested in palladium-nickel plating for a series of electrical components, automotive parts or another application?
Reach out to American Electro Products to learn more.