Nickel Plating Services

Yes, corrosion-resistant coatings such as Armoloy Thin Dense Chrome (TDC) and electroless nickel are commonly used to protect linear motion components — including ball screws, linear guides, and actuator rails — from exposure to moisture, chemicals, and industrial washdowns.

These coatings create a hard, non-porous barrier that prevents rust and pitting, extending the life of components in demanding environments. This is especially critical in food processing, pharmaceutical packaging, and outdoor automation systems, where unprotected steel surfaces would otherwise degrade quickly.

Nickel boron coating, particularly nickel boron nitride, provides a hard, durable surface that significantly reduces friction and wear. It offers excellent corrosion resistance and can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for firearm components, automotive parts, and industrial machinery. The coating enhances the longevity and reliability of treated surfaces by reducing the need for frequent maintenance and replacement.

Some of the most common food-safe coatings include:

1. Electroless Nickel (EN): Known for its corrosion resistance and durability, electroless nickel is often used on food processing equipment.
2. Thin Dense Chrome (TDC): Armoloy Thin Dense Chrome is a food-safe coating that provides excellent wear resistance, reduces friction, and prevents corrosion.
3. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Commonly known as Teflon, this non-stick coating is used in cookware and food packaging machinery.
4. Ceramic Coatings: Ceramic coatings are highly durable and resist high temperatures, making them ideal for food contact surfaces.

When choosing food-safe coatings, ensure they are certified and meet your specific component requirements to maintain safety and compliance.

Certain combinations of metals should be avoided due to the risk of galvanic corrosion. Here are some metal pairs that should not be used together:

1. Aluminum and Copper: Aluminum is anodic to copper and will corrode rapidly in their presence, especially in moist environments.
2. Zinc and Steel (Stainless or Galvanized): Zinc is anodic to both stainless and galvanized steel, leading to rapid corrosion of zinc.
3. Steel and Brass/Bronze: Steel is anodic to brass and bronze, causing the steel to corrode in the presence of these metals.
4. Magnesium and Any Other Metal: Magnesium is highly anodic and will corrode when in contact with almost any other metal, including aluminum, steel, and copper.
5. Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel: Carbon steel is anodic to stainless steel, which can lead to significant corrosion of carbon steel in the presence of stainless steel.

Preventive Measures:

• Insulation: Use non-conductive materials like plastic or rubber to separate dissimilar metals.
• Protective Coatings: Apply coatings to one or both metals to prevent direct contact.
• Material Selection: Choose metals that are close together in the galvanic series to minimize potential differences.

By avoiding these problematic metal combinations and implementing preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion.

Aerospace coatings protect critical metal components from oxidation, moisture, fuel exposure, and salt spray corrosion by forming a thin, protective barrier over the substrate. Common aerospace coatings include electroless nickel, Armoloy Thin Dense Chrome (TDC), and anodized aluminum finishes.

These coatings are engineered to resist harsh environments — such as altitude condensation, de-icing chemicals, and jet fuel vapors — without degrading or flaking. For example, Armoloy TDC creates a hard, corrosion-resistant surface that adheres tightly to steel or titanium parts, making it ideal for use in landing gear, actuators, and aerospace fasteners.

By minimizing surface oxidation and chemical attack, these coatings extend component life and maintain the mechanical integrity required for aerospace safety and reliability.