Palladium activation of 2.5% silicon iron prior to electroless nickel plating

摘要

A method for electroless nickel plating of silicon-iron which has been heat treated prior to the plating operation and subjected to thermal shock after the plating operation includes the steps of cleaning the surface of the silicon-iron with a fluoride etch salt, forming a thin deposit of palladium on the clean surface of the silicon-iron, hardening the palladium deposit by treatment with a solution of ammonium hydroxide and nickel plating the silicon-iron using an electroless nickel plating solution, followed by baking at about 250 DEG F. for about six hours.