Click here  for larger size image.
This deposit is totally amorphous improving diamond turning results

Optakoatâ is a totally amorphous non-laminar nickel phosphorous coating. It reaches purity and phosphorous levels unattainable with even the finest optical grades of electroless nickel. It remains non-magnetic even when exposed to heat. An Optakoatâ deposit was tested by both Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Marshall Space Flight Center. The conclusions were that Optakoatâ can outperform electroless nickel phosphorous deposits in the areas of low tool wear. In fact, a Talystep profile and scanning an Electron Microscopy revealed that Optakoatâ was not as damaging to the diamond tool as the electroless nickel phosphorous. Numerous companies have measured the flatness and surface quality of deposits with various interferometers. Typical results indicated a surface roughness of 9 angstroms. After using conventional optical lapping techniques the surface roughness was reduced to 2-3 angstroms. This is a finer surface roughness than electroless nickel phosphorous can offer. Optakoatâ has a higher phosphorous content allowing the coating to be totally amorphous and increasing tool life. This leads to lower void volume and fewer defects in the coating.  Additionally, it can be plated in excess of 0.030” thick.

View Optakoatâ Datasheet

The Top 10 Advantages of Optakoat 

·     Increased productivity:  Lens & Mold manufacturers report up to 70% less product fall out by using this glass-like alloy due to fewer pits, voids, occlusions or other structure.   

·     Extended diamond tool life compared to Electroless Nickel: Customers have typically reported 80 to 90% improvement with this totally amorphous non laminar coating.   

·     Great stability: Near neutral stress to slightly compressive gives Optakoat great stability.

·     Non- Magnetic:  OPTAKOAT has a phosphorous content unattainable with Electroless Nickel; it is totally amorphous & remains non-magnetic even when exposed to heat.

·     Hardness: 48 to 52 Rockwell C gives this deposit improved wear while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance.

·     The non laminar, high phosphorous content of Optakoat allows it to be easily applied to rollers for a flawless polished surface or for cutting a lenticular lens.

·     Unlike Copper, it does not require a flash of Nickel or Chrome to prevent corrosion thus eliminating cost, time, and image distortion.

·     Easily applied in thickness over 0.015” allowing multiple cuts making changes inexpensive and quick.

·     Plated on ferrous or non-ferrous materials.

·     Preferred by the major manufacturers of diamond turning equipment:  Optakoat has been reported to produce better results than Electroless Nickel, which has a laminar deposit with discrete sites of crystalline structure.

"Optical Grade Electroless Nickel" is a high phosphorous, high build electroless nickel deposit, which is formulated specifically for the optics industry.  This coating is perfectly uniform and can be plated to thickness exceeding 0.015”.  Optic grade EN uses the best chemistries in a controlled atmosphere.  It is highly suitable for single point diamond turning.

The Top 10 Advantages of  "Optical Grade Electroless Nickel"

·     Uniform deposit thickness with no edge build-up.

·     Ability to hold tight tolerances within  + 0.0001”.

·     It covers hard to reach areas that are difficult or impossible to coat with other coatings including Optakoat.

·     Preferred by diamond turning and polishing professionals over standard high phosphorous Electroless Nickel deposits.

·     Used for corrosion resistance, hardness, and lubricity.

·     It can be applied on ferrous or non-ferrous materials.

·     Has a Rockwell C hardness of approximately 49.

·     Phosphorous content exceeding 11%.

·     Less void volume than standard Electroless Nickel.

·     Deposit can be plated in excess of 0.015” thickness.