Industrial Nickel Coating by Chemical Catalytic Reduction

THE reducing properties of hypophosphite for metal ions have been known since 1844, but not until 1946 did Brenner successfully apply the principle to produce a practical plating method. In the following year, the engineering department of General American Transportation Corporation wished to obtain a cheaper tank‐car plating than the usual one of nickel‐clad construction. The Brenner method was considered, but proved unsuitable, and a process was developed which is now known by the trade mark Kanigen.