When it comes to affordable but protective coatings, zinc plating is among the most popular for certain applications. Its major role is as an anti-corrosive coating. It generally is applied to act as a sacrificial or expendable layer. When plated on the substrate surface, it will slowly corrode, protecting the base metal part – often steel or iron, beneath it. This prolongs the life of the component.
The Application Process
The plating of zinc involves electro-deposition, hence the term zinc electroplating. The process takes the form of several steps. Initially, the plater cleans the component to be plated with either an alkaline or an electrolyte cleaning solution. Pickling of the part then follows. This is all part of a pre-plating procedure.
The actual plating involves taking the now clean and contaminant free base metal and placing it on a rack or loading it into a barrel or drum. This is the step immediately prior to the electroplating process. The parts are now ready to become immersed in one of several types of bath solutions. An electroplater may use:
A cyanide solution
An alkaline non-cyanide solution
An acid chloride salt solution
While the cyanide solution is the most efficient, it is also the most toxic and environmentally hazardous to use.
In addition to the plating solution, operators may use a brightening agent. This will improve the luster of the zinc plating. However, it is essential to maintain control of all aspects of the process to achieve a high-quality product. This includes post-plating treatments.
Zinc Plating
When it comes to providing protection against corrosion, many companies request the application of zinc. While various coating methods are available, zinc electroplating remains a popular choice in several industries. For those who use iron or steel components as part of their products, zinc plating offers an affordable but highly functional and purposeful result.
