UPDATE (4/16/2021): SPC is no longer taking on new business for zinc plating. Please refer to our coatings page to learn about the other coatings we offer.
Rust is the greatest enemy of just about any type of metal, and its corrosive effects can be devastating. According to NASA, the cost of corrosion-related losses to United States industries totals approximately $276 billion annually, with the worldwide figure approaching $1 trillion. The industries most heavily impacted by corrosion include production and manufacturing, transportation, government, utilities and infrastructure.
A process known as zinc plating is frequently used to protect metals such as iron and steel against the relentless forces of corrosion. Zinc plating involves the electrodeposition of a thin coating of zinc metal onto the surface of another metal object, known as a substrate. The zinc coating creates a physical barrier that prevents rust from reaching the underlying metal surface. Zinc is chosen because of its innate ability to fight corrosion. In fact, zinc is often referred to as the corrosion-prevention workhorse
While the use of zinc compounds began more than 2,500 years ago, the production of metallic zinc first occurred in India around the 15th century. Today, nearly one-third of all zinc metal is used for galvanization, which is the coating of a metal surface to protect against rust. Zinc plating is the most commonly used method of galvanization.
Plating With Zinc: A Bio-Friendly Alternative
Plating with zinc is a relatively recent process, and it did not gain widespread use until approximately 1980. Prior to that time, cadmium was the preferred metal for electroplating in applications where maximum protection against corrosion was required. However, cadmium is a highly toxic substance that can have a cumulative poisoning effect over an extended period of time.
While zinc cannot quite match cadmium in terms of its anti-corrosion capabilities, it is viewed as a more bio-friendly alternative. These days, the use of cadmium plating is generally restricted to applications where plating with zinc won’t provide sufficient corrosion protection or additional levels of protection are required. However, the use of cadmium in plating operations must comply with current environmental regulations.
The Step-by-Step Zinc Plating Process
Zinc plating is a relatively complex process that requires a high level of expertise. Specialized equipment and machinery is also required, including a rectifier, plating station, ancillary tank for proper dissolution of the zinc anode and a reservoir. Here’s an overview of how a typical zinc plating process works:
- Preparing and cleaning the surface — It’s essential to thoroughly clean the surface of the substrate prior to plating. Any debris or contaminants remaining on the surface will prevent proper adhesion of the zinc coating. An alkaline detergent solution is typically used for surface cleaning, which is followed by the application of an acid treatment to remove surface rust. This latter procedure is referred to as pickling.
- Preparing the plating solution — Zinc plating requires the immersion of the substrate into a specially formulated electrolyte solution, which is referred to as the plating bath. The bath consists of the zinc metal ionic solution and various chemicals that facilitate plating processes. They also help produce the desired chemical and physical properties of the finished product. Specific types of zinc electrolyte solutions include:
- Acid zinc — This is a widely used plating technology known for its high efficiency, fast deposition and superior covering power. However, acid zinc also provides poor throwing power and thickness distribution.
- Alkaline zinc — This offers less plating efficiency than acid zinc and a slower electrodeposition rate, but it provides better thickness distribution and ductility
- Choosing the appropriate zinc plating procedure — After solution preparation, the parts are ready for plating. The chosen method could involve rack plating, where larger parts are affixed to metal racks which are placed inside the tank containing the plating bath. The parts remain stationary during plating. Barrel plating is normally used for smaller parts — instead of a plating tank, the parts are placed inside a barrel and rotated, which provides a more uniform finish.
- Introducing the electrical current — Electroplating is also known as electrodeposition because an electrical current is used to deposit metal ions onto the surface of the substrate. In the case of zinc plating, the substrate serves as the cathode. A DC current originating at the anode is introduced into the bath and flows to the substrate. The zinc ions are then deposited onto the surface. The current flows from the cathode back to the anode to complete the circuit.
- Post-treatment procedure — Upon completion of the electrodeposition process, the parts are ready for post-treatment. This normally involves rinsing the parts in water to remove any remaining contaminants and plating bath remnants. In cases of heavy contamination, the parts may need to be rinsed several times. The final step is to thoroughly dry the zinc-plated parts. In situations where additional corrosion protection is required, the application of passivates and sealers can be included in the post-treatment process.
Factors Impacting Zinc Plating Results
There are a variety of factors that can influence the outcome of a zinc plating project, most of which can be effectively managed and controlled by an experienced metal finishing solutions provider. Some factors include:
Current density — The density of the DC current flowing from the anode to the cathode can have a significant impact on the thickness of the zinc coating. The higher the current density, the greater the thickness coating. If the current density exceeds practical limits, a wrinkled substrate surface is likely to result.
Temperature — The temperature of the plating bath will also have a direct impact on the zinc plating outcome. Higher bath temperatures tend to reduce hydrogen diffusion on the cathode and increase the consumption of brighteners and other additives. There is also a close relationship between temperature and current density. When both are increased, the result will be a brighter zinc deposit. When the temperature increases but current density remains unchanged, the formation of larger metallic crystals will occur.
Concentration of zinc deposit — The level of zinc concentration in the plating solution will affect the brightness and texture of the plated product. Higher concentrations will produce a rougher surface, while lower concentrations will result in a brighter finish with fine crystals.
Other controllable factors that affect the result when plating with zinc include:
- Position of the anode and cathode
- Substrate surface condition
- Agitation of the bath (or lack thereof)
- Use of additives such as surfactants and brighteners
- Concentration of hydrogen ions
- Duration of actual plating time
- Degree of filtration of the zinc plating bath
- Efficiency of the rinsing operation
- Concentration of pollutants and contaminants in the plating bath
The applied zinc coating will generally be dull-gray in color, although post-treatment chromates are available in a wide range of colors including yellow, blue, black and olive drab. The electroplated parts can also be painted if desired. A pure zinc coating will have a hardness that is about one-half to one-third of steel.
How Does a Zinc Coating Prevent Corrosion?
One of the most important benefits of zinc plating is that it will significantly increase the corrosion resistance of the underlying substrate. But how does this actually occur? In addition to forming a physical barrier, the zinc serves as a sacrificial coating. This means that the zinc coating will corrode instead of the metal substrate that it protects.
Additionally, zinc reacts with the oxygen in the atmosphere to form zinc oxide. The zinc oxide subsequently reacts with water to form zinc hydroxide, which bonds with carbon dioxide to produce a thin layer of zinc carbonate. The zinc carbonate adheres to the zinc on the coated metal to provide even more corrosion protection.
Zinc Plating Applications
Plating with zinc has many industrial applications. Zinc can provide a corrosion-resistant coating on smaller metal parts such as nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners. In general, most hardware parts are coated with zinc. Zine plating has also gained widespread use in the automotive industry as a means of protecting parts such as brake pipes, brake calipers and power steering components.
Additionally, zinc plating is used in the production of tanks, armored personnel carriers and other heavy military vehicles. Zinc plating can also serve as a protective undercoating prior to painting, as it can promote greater paint adhesion.
Other Benefits of Zinc Plating
Zinc coating offers more than excellent protection against corrosion. Other key reasons to choose zinc plating include:
- Low cost — Because zinc can be found in abundance, it is viewed as a more cost-effective plating process than when using precious metals such as gold or palladium. This makes zinc plating a preferred choice for any company that is keeping a close eye on expenditures.
- Increased strength — Although zinc is a relatively lightweight metal, a zinc coating can increase the strength of the substrate.
- Low-stress deposit — Applying a zinc coating will not place an undue amount of stress on a metal part or component.
- Flexibility — Zinc is compatible for use in a wide range of bath chemistries, providing greater flexibility for customizing the plating outcome. Zinc is also amenable to both rack and barrel plating processes.
- Ductility — Zinc is an extremely ductile metal, meaning it can be stretched into long, thin strands without breaking. This makes zinc easy to contour to the shape of the underlying substrate.
- High temperature tolerance — Zinc is capable of tolerating temperatures of up to 120° F, which can help lower cooling costs.
- Control of hydrogen embrittlement — Zinc coatings are less susceptible to the development of hydrogen embrittlement, a condition where metal becomes brittle due to the diffusion of hydrogen in the surface. However, appropriate hydrogen embrittlement relief procedures should be implemented with plating of high-strength metal fasteners.
- Friendly to the environment — Zinc plating is considered to be a relatively eco-friendly process, especially when compared to its cadmium counterpart. Zinc also offers the advantage of recyclability.
- Aesthetic appeal — Zinc plating can improve the appearance of an iron or steel part or component. The introduction of colors during post-treatment can also help you customize the look of the finished product.
When to Avoid Zinc Plating
While there are plenty of benefits to zinc plating, the process is not ideal for every situation. Specifically, zinc plating should be avoided with critical steel parts that are exposed to temperatures of 500° F or higher. It should also not be used in marine or seawater applications or in tropical environments — these environments can contribute to the formation of bulky corrosion.
Do not apply a zinc coating on equipment with moving parts that come in contact with one another. Zinc plating should also not be used on products or equipment kept in confined areas that are subjected to heavy moisture condensation.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Plating With Zinc
A good way to assess the effectiveness of a zinc coating — or a substrate’s ability to resist corrosion in general — is through the application of a procedure known as salt spray testing. Frequently used by the automotive industry, salt spray testing consists of spraying the parts with a 5% salt solution dissolved in water in a closed cabinet at a constant temperature of 95° F.
The testers record how long it takes for the appearance of “white” rust, a powdery substance that often forms on the zinc-coated steel, as well as the more destructive “red” rust. This indicates whether or not the zinc plating process needs to be adjusted to comply with the desired manufacturing tolerances.
Zinc Plating Longevity
There are a variety of factors that contribute to how long a zinc coating will provide reliable protection against corrosion. The quality of the coating is of vital importance, which is why you should carefully evaluate the company you choose to provide your zinc plating services. Thicker coatings and the use of the right post-treatment products can also increase the protective capabilities. The surrounding environment also plays a critical role in the formation of corrosion.
Plating With Zinc Alloys
Zinc is often alloyed with other metals, which can result in improved performance than when plating with zinc alone. A zinc-nickel alloy, which can consist of a nickel component of anywhere from 6-20%, can dramatically increase corrosion protection. Zinc-nickel is now widely used in automotive industry applications. A tin-zinc alloy also offers excellent corrosion protection, along with ideal weldability and electrical conductivity.
Sharretts Plating Company Offers a Comprehensive Menu of Zinc Plating Services
SPC is your source for cost-effective zinc plating solutions that can be customized to the needs of your industrial or manufacturing operation. We offer zinc plating that can provide a protective coating for nuts, bolts, screws, metal brackets and other essential parts. Our zinc-nickel plating process has also become a preferred choice in the automotive industry due to its excellent corrosion protection.
During salt spray testing, our zinc-nickel plated parts were able to withstand the formation of white rust for up to 500 hours and red rust for up to 1,000 hours. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing your zinc plating services are provided by a company with more than 90 years of metal finishing innovation. Contact us today to learn more about the many benefits of zinc plating, or browse our services to find the best fit for your application.
