APPLICATION NOTE - 006
FT110A
Analysis of Nickel Coatings
INTRODUCTION
Nickel plate, with or without an underlying copper strike,
is one of the oldest protective and decorative electro-deposited
metallic coatings for steel, brass, and other base metals.
Recently, it has been applied to plastics of various kinds.
Electro-deposits of nickel possess a wide variety of properties,
depending on composition of the plating bath and
operating conditions.
Electroless nickel coatings are frequently applied on aluminium to provide a
solder-able surface and are used with molds and dies to improve lubrication and
part release. Because of these properties, electroless nickel coatings have found
many applications, including those in petroleum, chemicals, plastics, optics,
printing, mining, aerospace, nuclear, automotive, electronics, computers, textiles,
paper, and food machinery.
Some advantages of electroless nickel coating are good resistance to corrosion
and wear, excellent uniformity, solderability and brazability, and relatively low
labour costs. Limitations are high chemical cost, brittleness, poor welding
characteristics of nickel phosphorus deposits, need to copper strike plate alloys
containing significant amounts of lead, tin, cadmium, and zinc before electroless
nickel can be applied, slower plating rate compared to electrolytic method.
To guarantee the good functionality of the plated components, platers need to
ensure a consistent silver thickness. The FT110A offers rapid and accurate, non-
destructive analysis of silver coatings with high degree of confidence, with minimal
or no sample preparation needed. The system is extremely easy to operate
by non-technical staff. Its robust and rugged design is well suited for the most
challenging industrial conditions.
Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science’s family of bench-top EDXRF analysers have
been employed in the field for forty years and have served as the cost effective
solution for silver coating thickness measurements.
INSTRUMENTAL
FT110A
The Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science FT110A is a high performance,
compact, rugged and reliable quality-control analyser for simple, rapid, coating
thickness measurement and composition analysis. Measurements can be made
according to international test methods, ISO 3497 and ASTM B568. The FT110A
uses a proportional counter for a cost effective measurement solution.
The FT110A uses the non-destructive analytical technique of energy dispersive
X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) to generate an X-ray spectrum of the sample.
This elemental X-ray spectrum is processed using the supplied Fundamental
Parameters (FP) or empirical software to produce coating thickness or
composition values. 1
The FT110A includes features that make it an ideal fit for coatings analysis. The large, slotted sample chamber can fit a wide range of parts.
The motorised sample stage makes it easy to automatically measure multiple samples or multiple features on a single sample, or perform
scans to get a representative analysis on uneven surfaces. Multiple collimators are included in the instrument to ensure the best fit and
performance on parts of all sizes. Auto-focus, distance independent measurement, wide-view camera and image processing software can
be added to make analysis even faster and easier.
Intuitive X-ray Station software maximizes user productivity to ensure consistent process and product quality.
All instrument functions are driven by Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science’s X-ray Station software program which is a highly intuitive,
Microsoft Windows 10 compatible analytical and user interface package. Minimum staff training is required, and the advanced user-interface
enables users at all levels to generate reliable data.
| View the sample and measurement location with clarity.
| Configure results for rapid evaluation.
| Export results to a spreadsheet program.
| Create automatic programs to measure multiple features or samples.
| Options include software for materials and solution analysis.
PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS
Typical performance for common, representative applications is shown in the tables below. The precision was calculated from 30 repeat
measurements. Precision is influenced by measurement time, collimator size, elements present and thickness range. In some cases the error
can be reduced by optimizing the calibration range for specific applications.
Typical Applications
Top Layer Substrate
Ni Cu, CuFe, Brass, Bronze, CuNi, CuNiZn
NiP Cu, Fe, Al, Brass
Typical performance for a single-layer application, Ni/Cu using a circular collimator with a diameter of 0.2 mm (8 mil)
Analyte Tested Range Standard Error Precision (2σ)
1.07-18.7 µm 0.025 µm (1 µin) or 5% relative, 0.07 µm @ 5 µm
Ni
(42-734 µin) whichever is greater (2.7 µin @ 200 µin)
SUMMARY
The FT110A reliably offers precise analysis of nickel coatings. Using Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science’s traceable calibration standards,
routine production samples can be simply and quickly measured by any level of operator. Results appear in seconds, allowing near-
instantaneous optimisation of the production process.
Over 1,000 applications have been optimized for Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science’s coatings analysers. For information about additional
applications please contact our experts at [email protected].
Visit www.hitachi-hightech.com/hha for more information.
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not be used, applied or reproduced for any purpose or form part of any order or contract or regarded as the representation relating to the products or services concerned.
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© Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science, 2017. All rights reserved.
