Houston Plating & Coatings has added nickel Teflon plating to its broad line of corrosion and wear protection services.
William HowardNickel Teflon plating — also known as Electroless Nickel PTFE or EN-PTFE — is a composite that integrates sub-micron particles of Teflon (PTFE) within a nickel-phosphorus matrix. This combination provides the corrosion protection of nickel with the additional lubricity of Teflon. Additional hardness can be achieved with an additional heat treatment. This offers several distinct industrial benefits, while HP&C’s oversized Nickel Teflon tank delivers this combination, depending on part geometry, for parts up to 74 inches by 74 inches.
“The benefits of adding sub-micron particles of Teflon to nickel are substantial and include self-lubrication and a reduced coefficient of friction,” says William Howard, CEO of HP&C. “These are especially valuable for plated sliding metal components that can be susceptible to ‘stick-slip’ behavior and seizure”.
Eric Turner, COO and head of quality control for HP&C, says the Nickel Teflon process delivers continual performance because the PTFE is dispersed throughout the coating's full thickness.
“As a result, new lubricant is exposed as the surface wears, maintaining performance over time with outstanding stability,” Turner says.
Eric TurnerThe addition of an oversized tank at the South Houston plant dedicated to the Nickel Teflon process enables HP&C to plate larger parts, depending on the part geometry, up to 74 inches by 74 inches. Furthermore, with the addition of a standard EN barrier deposit, the matrix forms a dense, pore-free barrier that protects against the corrosive effects of moisture, salts, and harsh chemicals. Deposit thickness can be controlled as precisely as +/- .0002”, often eliminating the need for post-plating machining.
Already employing the largest nickel plating tanks in the Southwest, HP&C continues to add new capabilities and services for its clients from across the country, as well as Canada and Mexico. With a focus on serving the energy industry, the company has expanded to serve additional industries, including wastewater treatment, conveyor belts, and industrial gas.
HP&C offers electroless nickel plating, salt bath nitriding (SBN/QPQ), multiple phosphate coatings, and a wide variety of protective spray coatings. Their 18,000 sq. ft. headquarters building in South Houston is the nerve center for all of HP&C’s operations, enabling consolidation of executive, quality control, administrative, sales, and sales support services for its South Houston and Humble, TX plants.
Visit www.houstonplating.com.
