Hi

Electroless & electrolytic nickel are two totally different processes with
different properties.
Electrolytic nickel can deposit a pure nickel deposit with an as deposit
hardness of 200 HV to one with increasing amounts of organic co-deposits which
increase the hardness and tensile strength but lower the ductility and alter
the stress levels usually from tensile or neutral  to compressive.
Electroless nickel is usually a nickel phosphorous alloy which is relatively
hard as deposited ( 400 HV) and can be heat treated at 400 centigrade upto
1000 HV with a corresponding reduction in ductility.
Both deposits oxidise and become passive with time which makes them difficult
to either plate or solder onto. Electroless nickel is especially difficult and
must be plated onto immediately to avoid passivation problems.

Hope this helps for now

Chris



Hardness - Electrolytic - 200 - 400 HV
                 Electroless - 400 - 1000 HV

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