NiCom is a Nickel Silicon Carbide Dispersion Coating. The electro-composite NiCom coating consists of a nickel-metal matrix primary phase and/or hard particulate secondary phase, which is dispersed uniformly within it. The NiCom plating process involves electroplating nickel in the presence of hard particulates like SiC, under conditions which permit the hard particulate to co-deposit with the nickel. This results in an electroplated composite material where engineering thickness is achievable for OEM or O&R.

NiCom coatings are impressive alternatives to Hard Chromium Plating due to their excellent wear resistance. Our cylinder coatings also have superior sliding wear characteristics which are archived via hard particulates dispersed within the metal matrix. Mating components ride on the hard particles, which vary from SiC to BN to diamond depending on the wear condition application. This results in wear which is 5-10X better than Cr.

After the NiCom plating is applied it can be diamond honed or ground to finish dimension and surface finish requirements. NiCom coatings are commonly used in bores of internal combustion engines with applications ranging from snowmobiles and high performance race cars to weed whackers. When sliding wear resistance is important for cylinder bore or piston application, NiCom is ideal.