Gun metal is an iron-black hue with a cool, metallic sheen, named for its resemblance to the luster of steel firearm surfaces. Known as "rifle color" in Japan and "gun black" in Europe and North America, this tone is achieved through electroplating of tin-nickel alloys, tin-cobalt alloys, or nickel. The depth of the color can be adjusted by varying the concentration of additives, resulting in a metallic finish that spans from light black to deep black.

      Ningbo Yuanchen New Materials Co., Ltd. has successfully integrated mature gun metal nickel plating technology into the surface protection system of high-performance NdFeB permanent magnets, launching a comprehensive series of gun metal nickel plated NdFeB products. Building upon the superior magnetic properties of NdFeB magnets, this product line imparts a unique iron-black metallic luster and exceptional surface protection via the gun metal nickel coating, offering a premium surface treatment solution that combines aesthetic appeal with functional performance.

Core Advantages

      Unique Gun Black Metallic Luster

      The gun metal nickel coating features a distinctive iron-black tone with a cool metallic sheen, ranging from light black to deep black, presenting an elegant metallic texture. In the initial stage of film formation, the coating is extremely thin and semi-transparent; light transmission and refracted reflection create the characteristic cool shimmer effect. This sophisticated tone has gained significant prominence in decorative plating applications, and the color depth can be customized to meet specific customer requirements by adjusting additive concentrations.

Excellent Hardness and Wear Resistance

      The gun metal nickel coating achieves a hardness of HV 550–650, with fine-grained, crack-free crystallization and outstanding wear resistance. The high-hardness surface effectively resists friction and scratching, making it ideal for mechanical components subject to frequent contact and movement.

Superior Corrosion Resistance

      The gun metal nickel coating exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, maintaining its beautiful metallic luster without discoloration in atmospheric conditions over extended periods. The plating bath offers superior throwing power and covering ability, accommodating complex-shaped workpieces. Specifically tailored for NdFeB permanent magnets, the gun metal nickel plating adopts a multi-layer composite structure: "Nickel Undercoat + Copper + Intermediate Nickel (Bright Nickel) + Gun Metal Nickel." The nickel undercoat ensures strong adhesion between the coating and substrate; the copper layer provides corrosion resistance and brightness; the intermediate nickel layer enhances brightness and wear resistance; and the outermost gun metal nickel layer delivers the signature black-lustrous finish.

High Cathode Current Efficiency

      The cathode current efficiency of gun metal nickel plating exceeds 85%, facilitating easy operation, maintenance, and management.

Technical Support

      Ningbo Yuanchen New Materials Co., Ltd., established in 2003, is a National High-Tech Enterprise. The company has built a robust rare-earth magnet industry chain integrating R&D, production, machining, surface treatment (including electroplating), magnetization, packaging, customs declaration, and logistics. Its independently developed and manufactured high-performance NdFeB magnetic materials achieve a remanence (Br) of up to 15 kGs and an intrinsic coercivity (Hcj) of up to 35 kOe.

      The company has invested in its own NdFeB production line with an annual capacity of 1,500 tons, supported by diverse surface treatment capabilities encompassing more than 10 types of protective coatings, including zinc plating, tin plating, nickel plating, zinc-nickel alloy, copper-tin alloy, phosphating, and electrophoretic deposition. As one of the company’s premium decorative and protective coatings, gun metal nickel plating is fully customizable to customer specifications. The company has obtained certifications for multiple management systems, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and QC 080000, ensuring consistent and reliable product quality.

Application Areas

      Leveraging their unique gun black metallic luster and superior protective performance, gun metal nickel plated NdFeB permanent magnet materials are widely used in the following sectors:

      Consumer Electronics: Precision components such as speakers, vibration motors, and camera modules in smartphones, tablets, smart wearables, and other devices.

      Automotive Industry: Components requiring both aesthetic and functional performance, including interior motors, sensors, and door lock systems.

      Hardware Fittings: Hardware products requiring surface decoration and protection, such as door locks, hinges, and plumbing fixtures.

      Optical Instruments: Magnetic assemblies in precision optical equipment.

      Medical Devices: Magnetic components in medical equipment demanding both aesthetics and corrosion resistance.

      Premium Gifts & Crafts: Magnet applications with special requirements for surface texture and color.

Customization Services

      Yuanchen New Materials offers customization options for gun metal nickel coating color depth (ranging from light gun metal to deep gun black) and provides tailored coating thicknesses and process solutions based on specific customer application needs. Backed by an integrated workflow spanning from R&D to finished product inspection, the company delivers end-to-end services covering magnet design, manufacturing, and surface treatment.