electroless nickel plated bushing 1

[GRoberts]

Would a steel shaft and bushing (with grease) that are both electoless nickel plated have a tendency to gall? I'd prefer to plate both parts to increase the hardness and hopefully reduce wear on both of them, but if galling is a problem, I can do one part only.

 

[unclesyd]

EN is generally touted as having very good non-galling properties especially at the higher hardness levels. Looking through my data I find no specific numbers relating to the galling properties of EN. Also I see nothing relating to running as a self-mated pair.
EN has a excellent lubricity and also a very good affinity for oil and grease, so that's one up.

We ran a lot of EN in high wear applications but I don't remember any self-mated couples other that on instance of run EN vs EN+Teflon in an air bearing. This was an effort to get away from tool steel parts. I don't know the outcome.

 

[GRoberts]

I've never been to the bearing forum before, but I see you are over here too, Unclesyd. It doesn't seem like there is anything in materials that you don't know something about. Thanks. I think I'll try plating both parts and see what happens.

 

[israelkk]

Many high force (5 to 120 kgf) electromagnets for military and aircraft uses electroless nickel 0.036 mm min thick coating on all mated parts where the plunger rubs on other parts of the electromagnet dry. Just few month ago I was involved in the redesign of a 120 kgf electromagnet using electroless nickel with teflon and two month ago I developed a 20 kgf electromagnet where all parts are coated with electroless nickel.

 

[EdDanzer]

Typically similar material will tend to gall worse than two different materials when run dry. You could do a simple test in a lathe to see if they will work.

 

[Heckler]

I have used the NP3 process from CTI

http://www.coatingtechnologiesinc.com/services_plating_np3.html

It's EN with Teflon codeposit. I used it on a micro pump shaft to help with sealing and friction reduction.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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