Nickel Plated Steel (NPS) Battery Interconnects
The industry standard for cost-effective consumer electronics. We manufacture high-grade nickel-plated steel strips (Hilumin equivalent) with superior coating adhesion and mechanical strength.
Advanced Plating Technology
Superior Strength
The SPCC low-carbon steel core provides much higher tensile strength than soft pure nickel. This makes NPS strips ideal for structurally rigid battery packs that need to withstand mechanical stress.
Magnetic Assembly
Unlike pure nickel, plated steel is strongly magnetic. This allows for the use of magnetic jigs and automated pick-and-place robots during battery pack assembly, increasing production speed.
Cost Efficiency
Nickel is expensive. By using steel as the core material, we reduce raw material costs by up to 60% compared to pure nickel, making it the perfect choice for high-volume consumer goods.
Technical Specifications
Our Nickel Plated Steel is manufactured to meet strict tolerances for automated welding lines.
| Substrate Material | Low Carbon Steel (SPCC / DC04) |
|---|---|
| Plating Material | Pure Nickel (>99.9%) |
| Plating Thickness | 1µm – 3µm (Double sided) |
| Electrical Resistivity | ~14.5 µΩ·cm (approx 7-8% IACS) |
| Tensile Strength | 290 – 400 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 30% (Deep Drawing Quality) |
| Standard Sizes | 0.1mm, 0.15mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm |
Is Nickel Plated Steel Right for You?
We believe in transparency. While NPS is a fantastic material, it is not a replacement for Pure Nickel in every scenario. Use this guide to decide.
Common Applications
Due to its cost advantage and mechanical strength, nickel plated steel strip dominates the consumer electronics market where current draw is low (typically < 5 Amps per cell).
Laptop Batteries
Power Banks
Vacuum Cleaners
RC Toys
We generally advise against it for high-performance e-bikes. The higher resistance of steel causes voltage sag and heat generation under heavy load (climbing hills). For e-bikes, we strongly recommend our Pure Nickel N6 strips. However, for low-speed, low-power scooters (<250W), NPS may be acceptable.
No. Our strips undergo a diffusion annealing process after plating. This bonds the nickel and steel layers together. You can bend, fold, or stamp the strip without the nickel coating flaking off, ensuring protection against rust remains intact.
The Spark Test: Touch the strip to a grinding wheel. NPS will produce a shower of bright, branching yellow sparks (like a sparkler). Pure Nickel produces almost no sparks (or very few dim red ones). The Salt Water Test: Scratch the surface and soak in salt water for 24h. NPS will rust at the scratch mark; Pure Nickel will not.
Yes. Steel has higher resistance than pure nickel, which makes it generate heat more easily during spot welding. This means you can use lower power settings or entry-level spot welders to get a very strong bond.
Yes. Because steel is mechanically stronger than nickel, it is excellent for stamping complex shapes. We produce millions of stamped NPS battery contacts for remote controls and consumer devices every month.
Get a Quote for Bulk NPS
Looking for the most cost-effective battery interconnect solution? Contact us for factory-direct pricing on Nickel Plated Steel.
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