Since a metal surface gets wetter and corrodes more easily with increasing hydrophilicity, "water repellency" to prevent contact between the metal surface and water is a key point as a method for preventing the metal from rusting. Electroless nickel-Teflon composite plating with water-repellent Teflon particles and composite plating method by which water-repellent silane coupling agents are immobilized to plated surfaces have been developed.
| Type of plating | Characteristic value | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Electroless nickel-Teflon composite plating | - Since the particles of Teflon, which is a fluorine resin, have excellent water repellency, Teflon composite plating containing 10 – 35vol% in electroless nickel plating films is used. The particle size of Teflon is approximately 0.2 – 0.3μm. The contact angle to water is 116 degrees at maximum, showing water repellency comparable with Teflon plate. |
Food manufacturing equipment, medical and nursing equipment |
| Silane coupling treated zinc-nickel-silica composite plating | - Immobilization of organic-functional-group water-repellent fluorine-based silane coupling agents like CF3(CF2)3-CH2CH2Si(OCH3)3 to plated surfaces (formation of self-assembled films). | Rust-proofing of various metal products |
Water repellency of silane coupling
treated zinc-nickel-silica composite plated surface
