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Applications
Zinc Electroplating for Corrosion Resistance
Electro-Coatings provides industry-leading zinc electroplating services for outstanding corrosion resistance. Zinc electroplating is a relatively soft, ductile, corrosion-resistant and inexpensive protective finish for iron and steel parts. It’s commonly used in a range of hardware components, including fasteners, stampings, wire goods, castings, and sheet metal parts.
How Zinc Electroplating Protects Against Corrosion
Zinc oxide is a fine white dust that, unlike iron oxide, doesn’t break down the substrate’s surface integrity as it is formed. Much like aluminum or stainless steel oxidation, zinc plating forms a sacrificial barrier around the substrate – it corrodes first, thereby protecting the metal underneath. Protection is typically measured in salt spray performance, such as specified in ASTM B117.
An additional coating, generally chromate, is applied over the zinc for additional corrosion protection. This chromate coating can vary in color among clear, yellow, black and olive drab, meaning different visual appearances can be achieved.
Electro-Coatings Zinc Electroplating Process
Electro-Coatings uses an alkaline zinc electroplating process. This approach brings a number of advantages over the more traditional acid zinc bath:
- Superior plating efficiency. The alkaline zinc process works at rates comparable with acid zinc at lower current densities, yet still provides high rates of distribution at lower amps per square foot than acid zinc. As a result, we can treat twice as many parts without sacrificing quality or time.
- Because this bath runs so efficiently, hydrogen embrittlement is reduced substantially. And to further reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement, we have equipped our facility with a small batch oven and large walk-in oven.
- It’s a much more environmentally friendly process. Most of the electrical current goes towards depositing zinc – hydrogen and oxygen gas byproduct is kept to a minimum.
Our chromate coatings are first-class as well: they’re fully ROHS compliant, the full range of colors is available on request, and up to 144 hours of salt spray performance is possible depending on the choice of color. And in response to market trends, our chromates are 100% free of hex chrome.
Electro-Coatings is a leader in zinc electroplating. Our processes are efficient, cost-effective and of the highest quality. To learn more, contact us.
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