Plating protects metal surfaces, increasing their hardness, tensile strength and applies an aesthetic quality. When seeking appropriate plating for a specific project, you’ll find that there are a number of nickel plating types and options to consider.
So how does one determine exactly which plating is best for your particular situation? The first item to consider is the application.
Generally speaking, if a conductive surface doesn’t require a high corrosion or wear resistance but needs a bright sheen or low-stress layer, then electrolytic plating will be the most efficient process.
However, if the application requires very high corrosion or wear resistance, it’s likely that electroless plating is a better choice.