Guangzhou Eric Wei Chemical Co., Ltd.
Guangzhou Eric Wei Chemical Co., Ltd.

Electroless Nickel Gold

ElectrolessNickelGoldbyMacDermidEnthoneENIG-800isachemicalplatingprocessdepositinguniformnickellayerfollowedbythinprotectivegoldcoatingidealforPCBsurfacefinishesofferingexcellentweldabilitycorrosionresistanceandsolderabilitywithoutexternalpower.
  • electroless nickel gold_8cc982f2
  • electroless nickel gold_8cc982f2

Features Of Electroless Nickel Gold

  1. Uniform, pore-free metallic deposit with exceptional thickness control (±5% across complex geometries).

  2. Self-catalyzing deposition process requiring no external electrical current — ideal for non-conductive substrates.

  3. Superior corrosion resistance due to dense nickel-phosphorus underlayer (6–9 wt% P) combined with pure gold top layer (0.05–0.2 µm).

  4. Excellent solderability and wire-bondability, maintaining low contact resistance (< 10 mΩ) after thermal aging.

  5. RoHS-compliant formulation with no cyanide, lead, or cadmium in plating bath or final deposit.

Typical Applications Of Electroless Nickel Gold

  1. Printed circuit board (PCB) edge connectors and gold fingers for high-reliability telecom and aerospace systems.

  2. Semiconductor test probes, MEMS packaging, and flip-chip under-bump metallization (UBM).

  3. Medical device components requiring biocompatible, non-allergenic, and sterilization-stable surface finishes.

  4. Microwave and RF shielding enclosures where electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression and signal integrity are critical.

  5. High-precision optical and electro-optical housings demanding low outgassing and ultra-smooth surface finish (Ra < 0.1 µm).

Specifications Of Electroless Nickel Gold



Chemical TypeAutocatalytic nickel-phosphorus plating bath followed by immersion gold displacement layer
Product FormLiquid concentrate (nickel bath) + separate gold stabilizer solution (supplied as two-component kit)
Appearance (as deposited)Smooth, bright, slightly warm-toned gold over matte nickel-phosphorus base
Typical Deposit Thickness RangeNi-P: 2–8 µm; Au: 0.05–0.2 µm (adjustable per application requirements)
Primary ApplicationsENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) PCB finishing, UBM, precision connectors
Key FeaturesNon-magnetic, solderable, wire-bondable, low porosity, uniform coverage on recessed features
BenefitsEliminates galvanic corrosion risk vs. electrolytic gold; enables fine-pitch component assembly; extends shelf life of bare copper pads
Regulatory ComplianceRoHS 2011/65/EU, REACH SVHC-free, IPC-4552A compliant, UL recognized (File E347207)


Compatible Systems Of Electroless Nickel Gold

Common Compatible SystemsSuitability
Acidic nickel-phosphorus pre-plating baths (e.g., sodium hypophosphite-based)Highly Recommended – Optimized pH (4.2–4.8) and temperature (85–95°C) ensure stable deposition kinetics
Immersion gold solutions (thiourea-free, low-acid formulations)Highly Recommended – Designed for seamless integration; prevents nickel passivation and gold peeling
Acidic copper pre-treatment and micro-etch systems (H₂SO₄/H₂O₂ based)Recommended – Requires strict rinse control to avoid residual oxidizers affecting nickel initiation
Alkaline cleaning and activation chemistries (e.g., palladium colloid activators)Suitable – Validated for FR-4, polyimide, and ceramic substrates; requires post-activation DI rinse

Electroless Nickel Gold – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the CAS Registry Number for the Electroless Nickel Gold plating system?

A: The nickel-phosphorus bath component is registered under CAS No. 7440-02-0 (Nickel metal) and 7723-14-0 (Phosphorus); the immersion gold component falls under CAS No. 7440-57-5 (Gold metal). Full formulation-specific CAS numbers are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section 3.


Q2: How much ENIG solution is typically consumed per square meter of PCB surface area?

A: Average consumption is 80–120 mL/m² for nickel bath and 15–25 mL/m² for gold solution under standard IPC-4552A process conditions; actual usage depends on part geometry, immersion time, and bath loading.


Q3: How does Electroless Nickel Gold compare to Electrolytic Nickel Gold in terms of deposit uniformity and stress?

A: ENIG provides superior thickness uniformity (±5%) on complex shapes without edge buildup, while electrolytic processes exhibit higher current-density variation (±25–40%). ENIG deposits also demonstrate lower intrinsic stress (< 5 MPa) versus electrolytic gold (> 30 MPa), reducing microcrack risk during thermal cycling.


Q4: Are there restrictions on nickel ion migration or gold leaching in humid or saline environments?

A: Per IPC-TM-650 2.6.25 testing, ENIG deposits show < 0.02 ppm Ni migration and < 0.005 ppm Au leaching after 96h 85°C/85% RH exposure. Gold layer integrity prevents underlying nickel exposure, eliminating galvanic corrosion pathways in chloride environments.


Q5: Does this ENIG system meet IEC 61249-2-21 and JEDEC J-STD-003C for solderability and intermetallic formation?

A: Yes — validated per IEC 61249-2-21 (solder wettability > 95% after 168h aging at 155°C) and JEDEC J-STD-003C (intermetallic growth ≤ 0.3 µm after reflow; IMC composition confirmed as Ni₃Sn₄ with no brittle AuSn₄ phase detected).



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