Zinc Nickel plating
In today’s age, corrosion resistance coatings are more important than ever. Over the years zinc plating has been the staple for an inexpensive protective coating on steel parts, but in the automotive world the corrosion resistant standards have skyrocketed. We are now seeing a surge in Zinc Nickel plating utilization in other industries, due to these high standards.
Industries that Benefit From Zinc Electroplating
Many industries within Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio areas, as well as across the United States have come to us asking how to chose the best zinc plating process that suits their individual needs. A few of the industries that now benefit from zinc nickel plating include:
- Aerospace
- Appliance
- Automotive
- Fasteners
- Lawn and garden
- Military
Comparing Zinc Nickel Plating to Standard Zinc Plating
Like anything else, there are pros and cons to using Zinc Nickel plating instead of standard zinc plating. Depending on a few factors– including the distinct needs of your project or industry, budget, and quality assurance standards– you may decide which zinc process benefits you more. We’ve provided a short list to help you with your decision.
Pros of Zinc Nickel Plating
Superior Corrosion Protection- One of the biggest differences between the two processes is that Zinc Nickel plating can give you up to 4x better corrosion protection.
Excellent Adhesion Properties- With the new type of developments in Zinc Nickel plating additives, the adhesion (bending) properties show little difference than standard zinc plating.
Pronounced Hardness Level- The coating hardness level of Zinc Nickel plating is up to 2x harder than standard zinc plating.
Cons of Zinc Nickel Plating
The issue with all these benefits of Zinc Nickel alloy plating is that you will pay a higher price than you do for standard zinc processes. Standard zinc is not only less costly, but there are many new technologies in the passivation and seal coating developments which in turn help standard zinc coatings meet some of the higher customer corrosion requirements.
Quality Assurance and Standards
Whether you decide on zinc electroplating, or standard zinc processes, making sure they meet corrosion requirements and standards in your industry is very important to ensure customer satisfaction. Great Lakes Metal Finishing, Inc. is one of the few companies in the US that upholds ZinKlad quality assurance standards. ZinKlad provides superior corrosion protection compared to other processes, and eliminates the use of Hexavalent Chrome. It is an especially significant quality assurance program for the automotive industry, where consistency is key.
The Right Zinc Plating Process for You
In the end it is what qualities you really need in corrosion performance vs. cost that will guide you to choose between either Zinc Nickel plating or Standard Zinc plating. This is sometimes not an easy decision, and we hope that this article provided you with valuable information to pick the choice that works best for your industry and particular needs.
For more information regarding zinc plating processes, don’t hesitate to reach out to Great Lakes Metal Finishing Inc at 814-452-1886, or by using our contact form here. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have.