Zinc plating is a popular and safer way to coat substrates. Zinc is also less toxic than other types of metals that are used for coating purposes.
Zinc plating is actually an electro-deposition method. The zinc coats the metals with the help of an electric current. For this reason, it is referred to as zinc electroplating. There are several benefits of using zinc plating on metal products.
It can make products resistant to corrosion.
Using the process of zinc electroplating, you can ensure that the final products are resistant to corrosion. Zinc also acts as a protective barrier and sacrificial coating in case of damage. The zinc coating will erode first protecting the substrate. The process helps to increase the lifespan of products. When used on sturdy steel products, zinc electroplating can help them last even longer.
Another way zinc electroplating can make products resistant to corrosion is because of its reaction with oxygen and water. Zinc comes into contact with atmospheric oxygen and forms zinc oxide. Zinc oxide eventually converts into zinc hydroxide when it comes into contact with moisture or water. When zinc hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide, it converts into zinc carbonate. Zinc carbonate coats the metal surface providing additional protection to substrates from corrosion.
For this reason, zinc electroplating is widely used on small or tiny hardware such as bolts, screws, nuts, and fasteners. It is also used to protect products used in the automotive industry such as brake pipes or components of the power steering. It is also used to coat parts used in military vehicles.
It can make metal used in products more ductile.
Ductility can translate into added strength for products. It also helps to bend the metal extensively to convert them into various tools and products. Zinc possesses excellence ductility. It can be coated easily on any kind of metal product without fear of breakage. With zinc electroplating, it is easy to strengthen metal products of any shape.
It can give you more control to customize the coating.
Zinc can be used in different bath chemistries for the plating process. So, you don’t have to restrict the plating outcome on any product. You can use the bath chemistry as you desire. Zinc plating is done using either barrel or rack method. Combine these options with the flexibility of bath chemistries and you get the option to customize the zinc coating as needed.
It offers a low-cost coating solution; thereby reducing the cost of the final products.
Zinc can tolerate very high temperatures. So, you don’t need to spend money on cooling it. It ultimately translates into lower costs of final tools, hardware, and metal parts. Zinc is also found quite abundantly in nature. The easy availability of zinc further reduces the cost of the coating and the final products.
It can augment the strength of other metals.
You can use zinc electroplating to boost the strength of any metal. Even if the substrate used in your product is not as strong, you can use zinc coating on it to increase its strength. Zinc can also increase the strength of substrates as it doesn’t cause additional stress on metals when used as a coating. The metal parts without extra strain can continue to remain stronger and keep the products intact.
You can also increase strength of products with zinc electroplating as it is less prone to becoming brittle due to hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen embrittlement refers to a process where metals can become brittle or weaker due to hydrogen diffusion on its surface. It is possible to control it during the plating process.
It can make any substrate more appealing in appearance.
You can use zinc electroplating to increase the aesthetic appeal of any metal product. You can even customize the look by introducing colors after the treatment is complete. It can help you create unique products with colors of your choice or as per your clients’ requirements.
To enjoy the benefits of zinc coating, it is important to ensure that the quality of the plating is of the highest standard. It should be handled by experts to determine the thickness of the coating for the desired strength of the protection.
