The Effect of Stress on the Properties of Electroless Nickel-Phosphorus Deposits

The internal stress of electroless nickel (EN) deposits is shown to be the sum of two components, intrinsic and thermal. A method of measuring the stress components is discussed. The stress is shown to be dependent on the chemistry of the plating bath as well as the phosphorus content of the EN deposit.

The corrosion behavior of EN deposits is shown to be dependent on stress and the near-surface phosphorus content. The effect of EN deposits on fatigue strength of steel is also discussed.