AST Blog

An ISO 9001-2008 Registered Company Boron Nitride Electroless Nickel AST offers one of the most technologically advanced plating composites in industry – Boron Nitride Electroless Nickel (BNEN). The process incorporates Boron Nitride particles into a medium-phosphorus Electroless Nickel deposit in thicknesses ranging from .00005-.002 inches.  BNEN is ideal for parts that require both hardness as well as lubricity and can be plated on Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Magnesium, Stainless Steel and Steel. Benefits include exceptionally low coefficient of friction, superior release and high abrasion resistance.  Unlike EN-PTFE, another process that provides excellent lubricity, BNEN deposits can be heat treated to attain maximum hardness for very severe wear applications. Deposit characteristics Physical appearance:  Matte VHN (Vickers Hardness) as plated:  550 VHN, heat treated 20 min @ 400ºC (750º F):  850 High abrasion resistance Heat treatable Melting range 880-1200º C (1620-2190 º F) Magnetic Properties:  Magnetic Uniform Boron Nitride Particle Distribution 6-8% by Read more

What is Electroless Nickel Plating?  This is  high quality metal finish on Nickel by the firm of AST. (Advanced Surface Technologies, Inc). AST specializes in electroless nickel plating as well as silver and tin plating, plating on magnesium, passivation and chemical conversion coatings. Quality control  Priding themselves of keeping up a high standard of quality control in their workplace, and having been in the metal finishing service since 1968, they are well qualified in their profession.  Many of their customer’s are top machine shops requiring stringent precision in their finishes. AST is the biggest nickel plating firm in Colorado, with as many as seven operating lines to accommodate the variety of substrates and sizes for plating. Furthermore, they are the largest area specialists in plating silver, gold and platinum. The art of Electroless Plating Electroless Plating is a very specialized and exact profession and there is no room for error. Read more