Thick Nickel Coating on Surface of Quartz Optical Fiber by Electrochemical Deposition Method

Electrochemical deppsition methods (electroless plating and electroplating) were used to deposit a thick nickel on surface of quartz optical fibers. A thin Ni--P film was firstly to be deposited on the fiber by electroless plating. Then a thick Ni coating with thickness of about 1.7 mm was deposited on the Ni-P film,as a substrate, by electroplating. The effects of the concentrations of NiSO4·6H2O, NaH2PO2·H2O , C3H6O2 , H3BO3 , pH value and temperature on the quality of Ni-P coatings were investigated and their optimal values were determined by orthogonal test method..The effects of concentrations of NiSO4·6H2O and C12H25―OSO3Na and current density on Ni deposition were studied and the optimum technical conditions were discussed. Under the optimal conditions, the thin Ni-P film possessed good smoothness and strong adhesive force and the Ni-coating had good quality with fine Ni crystals and uniform surface.