DIPSOL OF AMERICA, INC.

34005 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI 48150

TEL (734) 261-0633, TOLL FREE: 1-866-DIPSOL-1
FAX (734) 261-0655, E-mail: main@dipsolamerica.com
www.dipsolamerica.com
TM

TECHNICAL
BULLETIN

ZINC NICKEL ALLOY PLATING PROCESSES ZI-NIC

DIPSOL IZ-260
Zi-Nic Process

Zinc-Nickel Alloy Rack Plating Process

SCOPE OF APPLICATION
DIPSOL IZ-260, Zi-Nic process, is an alkaline type, cyanide free, zinc-nickel alloy
electroplating process. The deposit consists of a uniform zinc alloy containing 5-9%
nickel, regardless of plating current density. The deposit has excellent thermal and
corrosion resistance, far superior to that of conventional zinc plating processes.
Chromate conversion coatings ranging from iridescent, bronze, green and black can be
easily applied to further enhance corrosion resistance and appearance.
FEATURES

Provides more than three times corrosion resistance to salt spray.

Excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance in high temperature applications.

Higher hardness and scratch resistance.

Excellent throwing power and coverage.

Same alloy composition in low and high current densities, resulting in excellent
corrosion resistance on intricate shaped parts.

Unlike acid type zinc alloy processes, DIPSOL IZ-260, Zi-Nic process, is
alkaline, and does not cause corrosion problems to plating or surrounding
equipment.

Uses same equipment designed for conventional alkaline zinc baths.

Simple to control. Additives to maintain nickel content and brighteners are added
on amp hour basis.

Uses less zinc anodes, supplemented with insoluble nickel plated steel anodes.

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Contents in this Technical Bulletin should not be copied, reproduced, varied, modified, distributed, performed and
displayed in any form without the permission of the DIPSOL OF AMERICA, INC.

PRODUCTS
Product

Purpose

IZ-260MSS

For Make-up

IZ-260MS

For Make-up

IZ-260S
IZ-260R
IZ-NI
IZ-B
U-0728
P-0731
F-0529

For Make-up
For Maintenance
For Maintenance
For Maintenance
For Maintenance
For Maintenance
For Maintenance

Properties
Purple Strong Alkaline Solution
14% NaOH contained
Purple Strong Alkaline Solution
12% NaOH contained
Clear colorless Liquid
Clear colorless Liquid
Purple Liquid
Light Yellow Liquid
Light Yellow Liquid
Light Redish Brown Liquid
Clear Liquid

S.G
1.15
1.20
1.03
1.05
1.22
1.13
1.03
1.12
1.21

TANK MAKE-UP
Read Special Handling Instructions before proceeding with solution make up.

NZ-777
NaOH
IZ-B
IZ-NI
IZ-260S
F-0529

CONCENTRATION FOR MAKE-UP

80 g/L (51.3 ml/L)
103 g/L (13.8 oz/gal)
32 g/L (28.3 ml/L)
24.2 ml/L
5.0 ml/L
4.0 ml/L

1. Make-up of the solution should be done according to the following procedures using
city water. When using well water or industrial water, please contact us in advance.
2. Fill plating tank 1/2 its capacity with water and dissolve a necessary quantity of
Caustic Soda. Caution: An exothermic reaction will occur.
3. Add necessary quantity of DIPSOL NZ-777 little by little.
4. Cool the bath to less than 30oC (85oF) and add necessary quantity of DIPSOL IZ-B
and DIPSOL IZ-NI
5. Add water to working level and agitate fully.
6. Analyze plating solution and adjust if necessary.
7. Take 500ml of the plating solution. Add 5ml/L of IZ-260S and 4ml/L of F-0529 in
the 500ml solution and perform long hull cell test at 4A-20min-25C to confirm
everything is normal. And adjust the bath if necessary.
8. Cool down the bath temperature to approximately 25oC (75oF) and add 5ml/L of IZ260S and 4ml/L of F-0529 into the tank.
DIPSOL IZ-260 Zinc Nickel Alloy Plating ZiNicTM
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Contents in this Technical Bulletin should not be copied, reproduced, varied, modified, distributed, performed and
displayed in any form without the permission of the DIPSOL OF AMERICA, INC.

IZ-260MS (concentrated plating solution) also can be used for make-up as below.
CONCENTRATION FOR MAKE-UP with IZ-260MS
250 g/L (20.83 % of total bath volume)
IZ-260MS
100 g/L (13.35 oz/gal)
NaOH
5.0 ml/L
IZ-260S
1.

Make-up of the solution should be done according to the following procedures using
city water. When using well water or industrial water, please contact us in advance.
2. Fill plating tank 1/2 its capacity with water and dissolve a necessary quantity of
Caustic Soda. Caution: An exothermic reaction will occur.
3. Cool the bath to less than 30oC (85oF) and add necessary quantity of DIPSOL IZ260MS.
4. Analyze plating solution and adjust if necessary.
5. Take 500ml of the plating solution. Add 5ml/L of IZ-260S in the 500ml solution and
perform long hull cell test at 4A-20min-25C to confirm everything is normal. And
adjust the bath if necessary.
6. Cool down the bath temperature to approximately 25oC (75oF) and add 5ml/L of IZ260S into the tank.

IZ-260MSS (concentrated plating solution) also can be used for make-up as below.
IZ-260MSS
100%
This product is plating solution, which is already made-up. Just put it in the plating tank.

Zinc metal
Nickel
NaOH
Na2CO3
Ratio Zn/Ni
Ratio NaOH/Zn
DIPSOL IZ-260S

SOLUTION COMPOSITION
Start-Up
Range
8 g/l (1.1 oz/gal)
7.5-9.5 g/l (1.0-1.27 oz/gal)
1.6 g/l (0.21 oz/gal)
1.45-1.70 (0.19-0.23 oz/gal)
130 g/l (17.3 oz/gal)
100-120 g/l (13.4-16.0 oz/gal)
< 50 g/L
5.0
4.8-6.8
16:1
14-18:1
0.5% by volume

The concentration of caustic soda should be adjusted by accumulated sodium carbonate

level in zinc nickel bath. If the sodium carbonate rises to a high level (50-70 g/l), caustic
soda should be kept at 100-120 g/l.

DIPSOL IZ-260 Zinc Nickel Alloy Plating ZiNicTM

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OPERATING PARAMETERS
Optimum
Range
o
o
o
Temperature
77 F (25 C)
70-80 F (23-27oC)
Cathodic current density
45 ASF (5 A/dm2)
20-90 ASF (2-10 A/dm2)
Anodic current density
55 ASF (6 A/dm2)
45-65 ASF (5-7 A/dm2)
Anodes
Zinc 99.99% and nickel plated steel
Recommended
Anode bags
Filtration
Continuous 2-3 times/hour
Cathode rocker
3-10 feet/minute
Tank
PVC or lined steel tanks
Spare tank
Similar capacity and material as process tank

PROCESS CONTROL
TEMPERATURE
Should be maintained at an optimum range of 70-80F (23-27C) using a heat exchanger
designed for alkaline solutions.
CURRENT DENSITY
A wide range of cathode current densities can be used, from 20-90 ASF (2-10 A/dm2),
yet maintaining a uniform alloy composition. Optimum value is 45 ASF (5 A/dm2).
ANODES AND ANODIC CURRENT DENSITY

Pure zinc anodes 99.99% in anode bags should be used.

Nickel plated steel anodes.

Total anodic area is adjusted to produce 45-65 ASF of anodic current density. A ratio of
30% zinc, 70% steel anode is generally satisfactory.
This ratio may be adjusted to regulate the amount of zinc in the bath. To prevent nickel
immersion plating on the zinc anodes when the bath is idle overnight or for extended
periods, the zinc anodes should be removed from the tank, and returned to the tank before
plating is resumed. Alternately, the solution can be pumped out into a spare tank during
idle periods.

DIPSOL IZ-260 Zinc Nickel Alloy Plating ZiNicTM

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FILTRATION AND AGITATION

Continuous filtration at a turn over of 2-3 times per hour is important to remove
undissolved or suspended matters. Mild mechanical agitation is recommended to prevent
streaky deposits.
RECTIFIER
12 Volt, 3 phase rectifier is usually satisfactory.
SOLUTION MAINTENANCE & CONTROL
DIPSOL IZ-NI
To replenish nickel metal: 1 gallon per 9,000 amp hours (420 mls/1000 amp hours)
Note: IZ-NI includes 6% by volume of nickel metal.

DIPSOL IZ-260R
Brightener, to improve leveling: 1 gallon per 27,000 amp hours
(140 mls/1000 amp hours)
DIPSOL IZ-B
Additive used to correct for high temperature, high drag out, or high caustic content:
1 gallon per 37,000-90,000 amp hours (40-100 mls/1000 amp hours)
DIPSOL P-0731
Additive used to correct for high temperature or low current density operations:
1 gallon per 125,000 amp hours (30 mls/1000 amp hours)
DIPSOL U-0728
Additive used occasionally based on Hull Cell evaluation to correct for high temperature
or high caustic content.

SOLUTION ANALYSIS
Simple analysis of zinc and nickel metals and alkalinity are performed routinely to
maintain the desired operating parameters. Hull cell evaluation is used to adjust
brightener and additive levels.
DIPSOL IZ-260 Zinc Nickel Alloy Plating ZiNicTM
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displayed in any form without the permission of the DIPSOL OF AMERICA, INC.

CONVERSION COATING
The following chromate conversion coatings are available for post treatment after zinc
nickel alloy plating:
Hexavalent Iridescent (Purple-Green) Chromate
Hexavalent Bronze Chromate
Hexavalent Green Chromate
Hexavalent Black Chromate
Trivalent Clear (BluePurple) Conversion Coating
Note: If parts are dried or baked before chromate, they will need to be activated in
DIPSOL X-0911.
For specific details, please refer to our Zinc Nickel Chromate Technical Bulletin.

PLATING CYCLE
Conventional replating cycles designed to insure proper cleaning and surface activation
are used. Adequate rinsing to prevent metallic contamination to the plating bath is
important to insure maximum corrosion protection of the alloy. No special activation is
needed prior to chromating provided good rinsing is maintained between plating and
chromating steps.
The use, handling, and storage of this product may involve certain hazards. Please refer
to the Material Safety Data Sheet for additional hazard information.

The information presented herein was prepared by technically knowledgeable personnel and to the best of
our knowledge, is true and accurate. It is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the manner and conditions of
use and handling may involve other or additional considerations.

Revised June 25, 2010

All previous revisions are obsolete

DIPSOL IZ-260 Zinc Nickel Alloy Plating ZiNicTM

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Contents in this Technical Bulletin should not be copied, reproduced, varied, modified, distributed, performed and
displayed in any form without the permission of the DIPSOL OF AMERICA, INC.