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ELNICARB is a new composite system of chemical nickel-plating which enables the surfaces treated to be given a uniform and non-porous deposit that is highly resistant to corrosion and wear from mating surfaces, while adapting perfectly to the shape of the parts.
ELNICARB is a process obtained by a chemical means that deposits a coating of solid, hard, very small and uniform particles.
This coating contains between 20 and 30% in volume of particles of silicon carbide of sizes from 1 to 3 microns.
The matrix is an alloy containing 87-90% of nickel and 10-13% of phosphorus.
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The studies and research performed on composite coatings derive from the need to protect mechanical parts from abrasion and from corrosion.
For some years, the solid particles have been immersed in a surface coating, but use of this process has remained somewhat limited for reasons linked to the electrolytic deposits, such as a lack of evenness in the thickness, insufficient resistance to corrosion, poor penetration.
Therefore, it became necessary to find a process that joins solid materials together.
In fact, processes that change the metallic structure cannot be used as they have a negative effect on the resistance to
corrosion.
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The metallographic section of the composite ELNICARB coating shows the regular distribution of the particles in the nickel alloy
matrix.
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To solve these problems, the ELNICARB process, which was perfected at the TEC.RI.MET Experimental Centre, combines the resistance to wear provided by the particles incorporated with that of the resistance to corrosion provided by the agglomerate
alloy.
At the basis of the ELNICARB procedure there is the chemical nickel-plating process ELNIP 13.
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The micrograph clearly shows the dispersion of the silicon carbide particles in the nickel-phosphorus
matrix.
Compounded in this way, the surface is extremely hard, much harder than that of hard chromium and equivalent to if not greater than many plasma
surfaces.
Here below we wish to give the TABER wear index for the ELNIP 13 and ELNICARB processes.
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The metallographic section shows the compliance with the shape of the parts during the ELNICARB treatment. |
 Shafts and nozzles for high precision lances
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| PROCESS |
HEAT TREATMENT |
VICKERS
HARDNESS |
TABER
WEAR INDEX |
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| ELNIP
13 |
NO |
500HV |
12-13 |
| ELNIP
13 |
190°C |
580HV |
8,6 |
| ELNIP
13 |
370°C |
1100HV |
7,5 |
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| ELNICARB |
NO |
570HV |
2,6-3,9 |
| ELNICARB |
190°C |
700HV |
1,3 |
| ELNICARB |
370°C |
1400HV |
0,3 |
ELNICARB is used in many different cases, especially when a uniform finish, resistance to corrosion and resistance to hard wear from mating surfaces is required and when the coating must follow the shape of the part perfectly.
Below are some examples of the ELNICARB treatment on various parts from different industrial sectors:
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Cylinders for spark-ignition engine
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AUTOMOBILE-MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY
Cylinders, components subject to hard wear, etc. |
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High precision parts
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PRECISION MECHANICS
Nozzles, clutches, cutter-holding heads, etc. |
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Cylinders and pistons
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MECHANICS
Shafts, cylinders, pistons, rotors, etc.
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