1. Applications of Nickel-based Alloys in Equipment Components for Acid and Alkali Corrosion Resistance in the Electroplating Industry
Plating tank bodies and linings
Plating tanks are core containers for holding electroplating solutions. Nickel-based alloys (e.g., Hastelloy C series, Inconel 625) can resist corrosion from strong oxidizing acids (such as nitric acid), reducing acids (such as hydrochloric acid), and alkaline plating baths (such as cyanide plating solutions). Using nickel-based alloy plates as tank bodies or linings can avoid leakage and structural damage caused by corrosion, significantly extending the service life of plating tanks.
Heating pipes and heat exchangers
Electroplating processes often require heating the plating solution to a specific temperature. Nickel-based alloy heating pipes and heat exchanger tubes can withstand the dual effects of high temperature and corrosive electroplating solutions. They do not rust or corrode easily, ensuring stable heat transfer efficiency and preventing metal ions from dissolving into the plating solution to affect the quality of plated workpieces.
Agitators and impellers
Agitators are used to keep the composition and temperature of the plating solution uniform. Their blades and shafts are in long-term contact with corrosive media. Nickel-based alloy agitators have good corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, and can maintain stable operation under harsh conditions without deformation or corrosion failure.
Filter housings and filter elements
Electroplating solutions need to be filtered to remove impurities. Nickel-based alloy filter housings and filter elements can resist the corrosion of acid-alkali plating solutions, prevent the filter from being blocked or damaged by corrosion, and ensure the filtration effect of the plating solution.
Pumps, valves and pipelines
Pumps, valves and pipelines are used for transporting electroplating solutions, pickling solutions and alkali washing solutions. Nickel-based alloy components can withstand the erosion and corrosion of corrosive fluids, avoid pipeline leakage and valve jamming, and ensure the safe and stable operation of the electroplating production line.
2. Applications of Nickel-based Alloys in the Manufacturing of High-temperature Components for Solar Photovoltaic Equipment
High-temperature fixtures for PV cell coating processes
In the anti-reflection coating process of photovoltaic cells, substrates need to be held by fixtures and passed through high-temperature furnaces (temperature often exceeds 500℃). Nickel-based alloys (e.g., Inconel 718, Haynes 282) have excellent high-temperature strength and oxidation resistance, and will not deform or oxidize at high temperatures. They can maintain precise positioning of photovoltaic cells, ensuring the uniformity Top-quality coating. Meanwhile, they have good chemical stability and will not contaminate the cell surface during high-temperature processes.
Heat-collecting components in concentrated solar power systems
Concentrated solar power systems focus on solar radiation, and the temperature of the heat-collecting area can reach 500–1000℃. Nickel-based alloys are used to manufacture key components such as heat-collecting pipes, receiver tubes and heat exchanger cores in the system. They can withstand long-term high-temperature exposure and thermal cycling, and have good creep resistance, preventing component deformation and failure under high-temperature and high-pressure working conditions. In addition, their corrosion resistance can resist the corrosion of heat transfer fluids (such as molten salt, synthetic oil) at high temperatures.
High-temperature electrodes and connectors in PV equipment
In some high-temperature processing equipment for photovoltaic cells (such as high-temperature diffusion furnaces), electrodes and connectors need to work stably in high-temperature environments. Nickel-based alloys have good electrical conductivity and high-temperature stability, and can avoid oxidation and aging of electrodes at high temperatures, ensuring the continuity and stability of the equipment's electrical control system.
Components of high-temperature annealing devices
The annealing process of photovoltaic cell wafers requires high-temperature environments to eliminate internal stress and improve cell performance. Nickel-based alloy components (such as furnace shelves, support frames) in annealing furnaces have good high-temperature mechanical properties, can withstand repeated thermal shocks, and will not generate impurities to pollute the cell wafers, which is conducive to improving the yield of photovoltaic cells.
