AMS 2404 Electroless Nickel Plating Services in Erie, PA
Finding a plating service that meets AMS 2404 specifications for your aerospace or defense components requires careful vetting of potential suppliers. Many facilities lack the proper certifications, testing equipment, or process controls needed to deliver consistent results that pass rigorous industry inspections. This challenge becomes even more complex when you need different phosphorus levels with varying hardness and corrosion resistance properties.
At Micro Plating, we provide AMS 2404 electroless nickel plating services with both high and medium phosphorus concentrations, backed by in-house laboratory testing and quality assurance protocols. Our facility maintains the certifications and process controls required for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.
Read on to learn more about AMS 2404 specifications, the differences between phosphorus levels, and how our expert plating services can meet your project requirements.
What is AMS 2404 Electroless Nickel Plating?
AMS 2404 is an aerospace specification developed by SAE International that establishes requirements for electroless nickel-phosphorus coatings deposited on various materials. This standard outlines specific requirements for plating processes, ensuring consistent quality and performance across various applications. The specification covers electroless nickel deposits used to provide uniform build-up on intricate shapes, improve wear and corrosion resistance, or enhance solderability on selected materials.
Electroless nickel plating is an autocatalytic process that deposits a nickel-phosphorus alloy coating without requiring external electrical current. The process involves a chemical chain reaction where the substrate is cleaned and then immersed in a water-based solution containing nickel salt and a reducing agent with phosphorous content. This chemical reduction method uses sodium hypophosphite as the reducing agent to deposit nickel ions onto the substrate surface.
Electroless Nickel Plating Benefits
Electroless nickel plating for AMS2404 delivers superior coating uniformity compared to electrolytic methods because the autocatalytic process eliminates high and low current density variations.
- Uniform thickness control: Parts receive precise coating tolerances within 0.0002″ while penetrating deep bores and evenly coating corners without excess buildup.
- Superior corrosion resistance: Coatings provide exceptional protection against salt water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide due to their less porous structure compared to electroplated alternatives.
- Enhanced wear resistance: Deposits offer inherent hardness and heat treatment capability that significantly extends component lifespan in demanding applications.
- Complex geometry coating: Irregularly shaped objects and complex industrial equipment receive uniform coatings that would be difficult to achieve with other plating methods.
- Non-conductive substrate capability: Unlike electrolytic processes, this method can coat non-conductive materials, including plastics, expanding application possibilities.
AMS2404 Electroless Nickel Plating from Micro Plating
Micro Plating has decades of experience delivering high-quality, electroless nickel plating services across multiple industries throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. Our experienced technical team develops optimal plating solutions for your components, achieving outstanding hardness, corrosion protection, lubricity, and surface finish quality. Both medium and high-phosphorus bath options enable us to tailor treatments that match your specific performance requirements.
We offer both high and medium AMS 2404 electroless nickel plating services:
High Phosphorous
Micro Plating delivers high phosphorous electroless nickel services that produce uniform, non-magnetic coatings with superior corrosion protection and long-term durability. These formulations contain phosphorous concentrations between 10 and 12%, making them suitable for demanding aerospace, defense, marine, and industrial applications.
Our process capabilities allow customization of coating thickness and finish characteristics to satisfy various industry standards such as AMS 2404, ASTM B733, and MIL-C-26074. In-house laboratory facilities and testing equipment verify that each deposit meets the required specifications for your application.
Medium Phosphorous
Medium phosphorus electroless nickel plating services maintain REACH and RoHS compliance while meeting AMS 2404, AMS-C-26074, and ASTM B733 requirements. Phosphorous content ranges from 6-9% based on application needs and delivers substrate hardness between 54 and 65 Rc directly from the plating bath.
Heat treatment options can increase hardness beyond 65 Rc when applications demand higher performance characteristics. Medium phosphorous formulations create bright, shiny surfaces perfect for visible parts experiencing regular wear and provide 96 hours of corrosion protection under ASTM B-656 testing at 0.001″ thickness.
Comparison of High vs. Medium Phosphorus Electroless Nickel Plating
| High Phosphorus
(10-12%) |
Medium Phosphorus
(6-9%) |
|
| Corrosion Resistance | Superior (1000+ hours salt spray) | Standard (96+ hours salt spray) |
| Hardness
(As Plated) |
40-48 Rc | 54-65 Rc |
| Hardness
(Heat Treated) |
68-70 Rc | 65-68 Rc |
| Magnetism | Non-Magnetic | Slightly Magnetic |
| Appearance | Semi-bright (like stainless steel) | Bright and shiny |
| Compliance | Not explicitly mentioned | REACH and RoHS |
| Primary Benefit | Maximum corrosion and wear resistance for demanding environments. | A decorative, hard coating for visible parts with significant wear. |
| Specifications | Mil-C-26074 Spec, MILDTL-32119 Spec, AMS 2404 Spec, AMS 2454 Spec, and more | AMS 2404, ASTM B733, AMS-C-26074, MIL-C-26074, MILDTL-32119 |
Our Process Control and Quality Assurance
Every order follows a structured workflow designed to maintain accuracy and meet delivery schedules. Parts undergo receiving inspection upon arrival, followed by detailed job card creation through our integrated software system.
Our centrally located Kanban system tracks all orders, and team members review jobs daily to ensure on-time delivery within our standard six-day lead time. Final verification uses precision microscopes, Fischer scopes, and X-ray fluorescence analyzers to confirm that coating adhesion and thickness meet a wide range of specifications.
We have an in-house laboratory that maintains all processing solutions to manufacturer specifications through daily chemical analysis and monitoring. The staff chemist analyzes cleaners, acids, and plating chemistry to detect irregularities before they affect production quality.
Statistical Process Control data collection identifies trends and prevents potential issues from developing into problems. Custom packaging protects finished components during shipment, whether bulk, cell, or sleeved configurations, ensuring parts arrive undamaged according to purchase order requirements.
High-Quality AMS2404 Electroless Nickel Plating from Micro Plating
AMS 2404 electroless nickel plating provides essential surface enhancement for aerospace and defense components that require exceptional durability and performance. Both high and medium phosphorus formulations offer distinct advantages depending on your application’s specific hardness and environmental resistance requirements.
At Micro Plating, we combine decades of experience with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver reliable AMS 2404 plating solutions that meet stringent industry standards. Our team maintains full traceability throughout the production cycle while offering flexible lead times to accommodate both standard and expedited delivery schedules.
Click below for a quote and to discuss how our AMS 2404 electroless nickel plating services can enhance your components’ performance and longevity.