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PRODUCTS FINISHING NEW PRODUCTS Edited by El McKenzie emckenzie@pfonline.com Blackening of Composite Electroless Nickel Coatings Surface Technology Inc. develops a . breakthrough process By Michael Feldstein, President, Surface Technology Inc. As the use of composite electroless nickel coatings expands rapidly worldwide, there is also a growing demand for black versions of these specialty coatings. The Surf-Black process from Surface Technology is an efective blackening process specifcally designed for such coatings. Composite electroless nickel coatings are similar to Tools coated with Composite Diamond Coating for wear resistance and grip, one enhanced with Surf-Black. Probes Boost Coating Thickness Measurement Speed Elcometer's Ultra/Scan probes for the Elcometer 456 coating thickness gage are designed to be dragged across a coated surface without damaging the probe or the coating, and increase the gage's reading rate to more than 140 readings per minute. They can be used as traditional coating thickness probes, or to measure in either scan or auto-repeat modes. Each probe has been designed to take a snap-on, replaceable end cap so that the sliding action across a coated surface does not cause wear to the probe tip, helping to maintain the accuracy of the probe over its life. The gage's patented ofset feature excludes the thickness of the cap 70 SEPTEMBER 2013 — pfonline.com The surface of a Composite Diamond Coating at 1200× magnifcation. conventional EN coatings but ofer enhanced features such as wear resistance, lubricity, friction, and heat and electrical conductivity in addition to the natural EN properties of hardness, corrosion resistance, uniformity, etc. Methods of blackening EN coatings have been available for many years with difering degrees of efectiveness. In many cases, the black surfaces are desired for their aesthetic appearance alone. In other instances they are used as very-low-refectance coatings in optical instruments and sensors making measurements in the ultra-violet, infrared and visible spectra. In particular, they can improve the absorbance of thermal detectors and reduce the efect of stray and scattered light in optical instruments. Blackening composite EN is similar to blackening EN, but the unique properties of composite coatings require specialized blackening solutions and processes for optimal appearance. The photograph of the surface of a Composite Diamond Coating at 1200x magnifcation shows fne diamond particles protruding from the surface of the coating. Each diferent type of particle used in composite EN will make the surface appear diferent before blackening and have an efect on the appearance of the surface afer blackening. "The blackening process can be varied by the alloy and composition of the electroless nickel coating, the composition or concentration of the blackening solution, the time