Frequently Asked Questions

About Surface Technology, Inc.

What does Surface Technology, Inc. do?

• We are a unique combination of being both a plating shop and a supplier of plating chemicals. We specialize in advanced electroless nickel and composite coating solutions engineered to improve durability, corrosion resistance, and performance for demanding industrial applications.

How long have you been in business?

• We’ve delivered high performance plating solutions and services since 1973, supporting plating shops and manufacturers worldwide through an extensive network of distributors and representatives.

What industries do you serve?

• Our products and services support aerospace, automotive, friction shims, medical, robotics, mining, energy, oil and gas, industrial machinery, and any application requiring engineered surface performance.

What makes your company different?

• Being both a plating shop and supplier of plating chemicals gives STI a unique first-hand practical perspective on how to operate with best practices and innovate new and improved products and processes in the plating industry, and for the end users of plating services.

Where are you located?

• Our headquarters and production facility are in Ewing, New Jersey, and we have a network of distributors, representatives, and affiliates worldwide. We are proud that our products and services are used in dozens of countries on six continents.

Do you offer technical support?

• Yes. Our engineers assist with material selection, coating design, troubleshooting, and process optimization from prototype through full scale production. We readily share best practices on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@STI-SurfaceTechnology to support the metal finishing industry.

About our Products & Services

What products do you provide?

We manufacture and sell a full line of electroless nickel plating solutions including plating baths, pre-treatment and post-treatment products. Our plating solutions feature the single component One-Plate® electroless nickel, and advanced composite EN solutions such as EN-PTFE, diamond, silicon carbide, boron nitride, and more.

Does STI provide any fully fabricated products?

Yes, we sell fully fabricated, ready to us Ni-Grip® Friction Shims to customers requiring friction and grip in assemblies and joints. We make these friction shims in any shape, size, base metal, and quantity. They are also available in a range of coefficients of friction.

What coating services do you provide?

Our plating shop specializes in electroless nickel and composite EN coatings for high performance applications. These services include specialized aluminum pretreatment, selective plating, masking, and engineered surface solutions.

Do you handle high volume production?

Yes. Our facility is designed for scalable, repeatable, high throughput processing with strict quality control.

Do you offer prototype or small batch work?

Absolutely. We support R&D, pilot runs, and low volume precision components requiring tight tolerances and uniform coating. Our mission includes the commitment to help develop new applications for the high end coating solutions we have pioneered.

What is your typical turnaround time?

Standard turnaround for plating jobs ranges from 5 - 15 business days depending on coating type, complexity, and volume. Expedited service may be available. We maintain a large inventory of plating solutions, so chemical orders ship very quickly, often same day.

Can you meet industry specifications?

Yes. We routinely meet MIL, AMS, ASTM, and customer specific requirements, supported by documented process control and testing.

Do you provide certificates or testing?

We offer thickness testing, composition, hardness verification, adhesion checks, and certificates of conformance upon request.

About Electroless Nickel Plating

What is electroless nickel plating?

Electroless nickel (EN) is an autocatalytic coating that deposits uniformly without electricity, delivering exceptional corrosion resistance, hardness, and dimensional consistency.

Why choose electroless nickel plating?

Electroless nickel offers:

- Uniform thickness on complex geometries

- Superior corrosion resistance

- Excellent wear resistance

- Dimensional accuracy

- Ability to coat internal surfaces

- Predictable hardness and performance

It’s one of the most versatile and reliable engineering coatings available.

What phosphorus levels do you offer?

We provide low , mid , and high phosphorus EN formulations tailored for wear resistance, corrosion protection, and/or chemical resistance.

What is the difference between high P, mid P, and low P electroless nickel?

- High Phosphorus (10–13%) — best corrosion resistance, ideal for harsh environments

- Mid Phosphorus (6–9%) — balanced wear and corrosion performance

- Low Phosphorus (2–5%) — highest hardness and wear resistance

We help customers choose the right phosphorus level for their application.

How thick is a typical EN coating?

Most applications range from 0.0002” to 0.002”, depending on performance requirements.

How uniform is the coating?

EN deposits evenly on complex shapes, threads, blind holes, and internal passages—ideal for precision components requiring consistent thickness.

What hardness can your EN achieve?

As plated hardness typically ranges from 48–55 HRC, with heat treating increasing hardness to 66–70 HRC depending on the alloy.

What base metals can STI coat onto?

We routinely coat onto customer parts made of steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper alloys, and titanium. Other materials including composites and non-conductors can be coated as well.

What is unique about your plating onto aluminum?

We specialize in aluminum pretreatment and plating, including high silicon and difficult alloys, and die-casts using Zincate Zero®, a zinc free process that prevents zinc contamination and yields higher quality and longer bath life for better environmental protection.

Do you offer heat treating?

Yes. We provide controlled heat treat cycles to enhance hardness, wear resistance, and coating adhesion.

Is there a size limitation for parts that can be coated?

Our plating shop has a very large capacity for size and volume. If any parts are too large for our plating capacity, we can connect you with other plating shops around the world that use our EN chemical products and can provide the same coating services on even larger parts.

Can you help diagnose coating failures or surface defects?

Yes. Thanks to our extensive experience and metallurgical laboratory, we offer failure analysis, troubleshooting, and process audits to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions. Photos, part history, and environmental conditions help us assess issues quickly.

Do you offer on site support or training?

For qualifying programs, we provide on site technical support, process training, and engineering collaboration to ensure successful implementation and long term performance.

What industries rely on your coatings?

• Our coatings are used in:

• Aerospace & defense

• Automotive & EV

• Oil & gas & alternative energy

• Data centers

• Robotics

• Industrial machinery

• Medical devices

• Packaging & food processing

• Precision manufacturing

• Mining

• Textile manufacturing equipment

• And many more industries

Is electroless nickel food safe?

Yes, many EN and composite EN coatings can be used in food processing environments. We can help determine suitability based on your application.

About Composite Electroless Nickel Coatings

What are composite EN coatings?

Composite EN coatings provide all the benefits of EN plus the properties of materials such as PTFE (Teflon), diamond, silicon carbide, boron nitride or other fine particles into the nickel matrix to deliver specialized performance benefits.

What composite coatings do you offer?

Surface Technology, Inc. provides:

• EN PTFE — low friction, non stick, self lubricating

• EN Diamond — extreme wear resistance and hardness

• EN SiC — abrasion resistance for high load environments

• EN Boron Nitride — high temperature lubricity

• Custom composite systems for specialized applications

How does STI provide these composite EN technologies?

Two ways. As coatings applied in our plating shop facility. As chemical solutions for other plating shops to apply in their facility for their end user customers.

What advantages do composite coatings provide?

They can reduce friction, improve wear resistance, enhance release properties, increase friction and grip, increase heat transfer, and other properties. All can be applied on complex geometries.

Do composite coatings meet industry specifications?

Many do. We can validate performance through thickness, hardness, friction, and corrosion testing to meet customer or industry standards.

What are some popular applications for composite EN coatings?

• Molds and dies

• Hydraulic components

• Pumps and valves

• Semiconductor tooling

• High wear mechanical assemblies

• Precision moving parts

• Friction shims

How do I know which composite coating is right for my application?

Our engineering team evaluates your operating environment, load conditions, temperature, lubricity needs, and wear profile to recommend the ideal composite system.

About our Quality & Compliance

What quality standards do you follow?

We operate under strict process control aligned with ISO principles, ensuring repeatable performance, traceability, and documentation for every production run and batch of chemical products. Our quality program was developed under a dedicated grant by the New Jersey Department of Labor Division of Workforce Development.

Do you provide certificates of conformance or test reports?

Every job can include certificates of conformance, composition, thickness data, hardness results, and corrosion test documentation upon request.

How do you ensure product consistency and reliability?

We maintain precise bath chemistry, solution monitoring, controlled filtration, and rigorous quality control to guarantee uniform coatings and predictable performance. All of this is done by highly trained technicians with decades of experience.

Do you have environmental or safety certifications?

We comply with all local, state, and federal environmental regulations, using heavy metal free, PFAS free and low nickel solutions to minimize ecological impact. Our facility is solar powered zero-discharge, and operates with an advanced recycling program.

About Quotes, Orders & Pricing

How do I request a quote?

Submit part drawings, material details, and coating requirements through our online form or email. For Ni-Grip® Friction Shims, please inquire here. Our technical team responds promptly with a detailed estimate.

What information do you need for an accurate estimate?

For parts to be plated, it helps us to know the desired coating type, base metal, the quantity, and a drawing specifying areas:

1. To be coated?

2. May not be coated?

3. May or may not coated so we can find the best way to hold the parts in process.

Do you require minimum order quantities?

No. We accommodate single prototypes to full production runs, scaling pricing accordingly for efficiency and value.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept credit cards, ACH transfers, and corporate purchase orders for approved accounts.

About Shipping & Logistics of Orders

Which carriers do you use?

We partner with UPS, FedEx, and specialized freight services to ensure safe, timely transport of plated components.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. We support global customers with export documentation, packaging compliance, and customs coordination. We do this directly and through a network of expert distributors around the world.

How do you package items for safe transport?

Parts are individually wrapped, cushioned, and boxed using corrosion inhibiting materials to preserve finish integrity during transit. All packaging complies with DOT and other applicable regulations.

Can you handle recurring shipments or drop shipments?

Absolutely. We manage recurring production schedules and drop ship directly to end users or assembly facilities for seamless logistics.

About our Focus on the Environmental & Safety

How do you manage chemical waste and environmental compliance?

We maintain full environmental compliance through closed loop waste treatment, chemical recovery systems, an advanced recycling program, and continuous monitoring that minimizes discharge and supports sustainable operations.

Are your processes RoHS or REACH compliant?

Yes. Our plating chemistries and pretreatment solutions are formulated without heavy metals and other materials as needed to meet RoHS and REACH standards, ensuring global compatibility and environmental responsibility.

Do you avoid PFAS?

Absolutely. We pioneered PFAS free formulations for electroless nickel and composite electroless nickel solutions to reduce hazardous waste and align with evolving environmental regulations. As one example, we invented EN-PTFE made without PFAS and fluorinated surfactants.

Do you use zinc free pretreatment solutions?

We pioneered that too. Our Zincate Zero® is the world’s first pretreatment solution for plating on aluminum and its alloys without the use of zinc. This can double the plating bath life and cut waste in half.

What safety measures are in place in your facility?

Our facility operates under strict OSHA guidelines with engineered ventilation, chemical containment, employee training, and continuous safety audits to protect personnel and the environment.

 

About Composite Diamond Coating®

What is the appearance?

Composite Diamond Coating® is a unique and attractive matte gray color. When used or polished the coating becomes shinier and more metallic in appearance. These coatings can be subsequently coated with other materials if an alternate final appearance is desired.

How perfect is the uniformity?

Because of the electroless chemical method of deposition, Composite Diamond Coating® covers all surfaces of the work piece with essentially perfect uniformity. There is no build up on edges, corners, inner diameters, or any other surface.

What thicknesses are possible?

The thickness of Composite Diamond Coating® can be customized according to the requirements of each specific application. Any thickness from 0.0002” (5 microns) to over 0.025” (625 microns) can be produced with Composite Diamond Coating®, although most applications use a standard coating thickness of 0.001” (25 microns).

How high is the diamond density?

The density of diamond particles within Composite Diamond Coating® is typically 40% by volume. Higher and lower densities can be produced as needed, but the standard range serves well in virtually all applications.

What diamond particle sizes can be used?

The most commercially used version of Composite Diamond Coating® for wear resistance is CDC-2. Particles of up to 120 microns in size may be used when required for high friction and grip. Including on our Ni-Grip Friction Shims.

How good is the diamond quality?

The diamond incorporated into Composite Diamond Coating® is very precisely specified for composition, size, and shape. As the large surface area of the diamond particles interact with the electroless nickel bath, the purity of the diamond must be exceptional.

How hard is CDC?

Composite Diamond Coating® is made up of two materials: electroless nickel and diamond. The hardness of heat-treated electroless nickel is about 950 Vickers, while diamond is an extraordinary 10,000 Vickers. Combined, the hardness of Composite Diamond Coating® averages about 1,200 - 1,500 Vickers.

What is the wear resistance?

Composite Diamond Coatings provide orders of magnitude longer life than other coatings and materials ranging from hard chrome plating to tungsten carbide and materials like hardened steel. We can help you select the CDC version that will give the longest life to your critical parts.

What does it cost?

The cost of Composite Diamond Coating® is surprisingly thanks to the high volume production in our facility, and the performance benefits the coating provides. CDC makes parts last longer and allows customers to change the base material of their parts to one that is less expensive.

What substrates can be coated?

Essentially any metal or alloy can be enhanced by Composite Diamond Coating®. The most common materials coated are carbon or tool steels and aluminum alloys. Copper, brass, bronze, stainless steel, and titanium are also regularly treated with Composite Diamond Coating®™. and carbide with less expensive alternatives like aluminum and steel.

Is selective coating or masking possible?

Selective coating is possible and done routinely. However, it is often less expensive and faster to coat "non-critical" areas than to mask off these areas.

What post-treatment may be done?

After coating, a heat treatment step can provide improved adhesion of the coating, greater hardness of the matrix, and maximum wear resistance. A heat treatment of up to 750°F is normally preferred. Other temperatures can be implemented as needed for specific applications or to maintain necessary substrate material specifications.

What are the environmental benefits?

Composite Diamond Coating® offers a number of important environmental benefits 1) CDC uses no chrome, 2) makes parts lasts longer, and 3) CDC can be chemically stripped, so used parts can be stripped and recoated, thereby reclaiming the nickel metal in solution form for recycling.

Is CDC Patented?

Covered by one or more of the following United States Patents No. 4,997,686, 5,145,517, 5,300,330, 5,863,616, 6,306,466, 7,744,685, 8,147,601, 8,598,260, 9,096,924 and 10,006,126, with others pending.

About One-Plate® Electroless Nickel

Is it really just one component?

Yes, just one component. Its that simple. The same one component for both bath make up and replenishment.

How does One-Plate® save money compared to three component systems?

The reasons are simple and many:

• Longer bath life and less waste

• Faster replenishment

• Less lab analysis required

• Less solution inventory required

What types of One-Plate® EN are available?

We provide single components for low, medium and high phosphorous electroless nickel coatings. Particle dispersions can also be used to convert any of these baths into composite EN coatings with PTFE (Teflon), diamond, silicon carbide, boron nitride and others to produce extra high-performance coatings.

What substrates can be coated in One-Plate®?

All the same base materials as any other EN bath. Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, magnesium, non-conductors, etc. can all be coated over the long life of One-Plate® baths.

How is the coating made from One-Plate® baths?

The coatings from One-Plate® baths are normal EN coatings with consistently high quality thanks to greater bath consistency. That’s why One-Plate® is used on countless critical applications including automotive, aerospace, medical, food, tooling, electronics, mining, oil/gas, and many more in plating shops around the world in tanks big and small.

What are the safety and environmental benefits of One-Plate®?

With a reduced nickel concentration of 5 g/l in the bath, there is less drag-out and less nickel to dispose of at the end of the bath’s life. The One-Plate® Q solutions are safer at pH 5-6 rather than the typical pH 3-10 for old fashioned three component A-B-C solutions. And all One-Plate® solutions are RoHS compliant.

Where do I get One-Plate® solutions?

These solutions are available directly from STI or through our global network of distributors.