What Zinc Nickel Plating Is Best For
There are many different coatings available, each with their own uses and areas of application. Here we explore the main uses for Zinc Nickel Plating and why it is chosen for these particular jobs.
Steel Parts Facing Road De-icers
Chloride based road de-icers such as calcium and magnesium chloride are far more aggressive than traditional road salt. In these situations steel components such as brackets, sub frame components and suspension parts will benefit from the dense alloy layer of a zinc nickel plating.
Aerospace and Defence Components
For applications that require RoHS compliance in conjunction with close dimensional tolerancing, zinc nickel plating is a frequently specified coating. A listing of approved processors can be found in surface treatment suppliers’ directories for the aerospace/defence market, such as the zinc/Nickel Plating Archives for surface treatment suppliers.
Hydraulic Fittings and Brake Lines
Thread form on hydraulic fittings has to be exact when plated. The Zinc Nickel deposit is very even at low thicknesses and therefore threads are maintained within precise limits. This ensures that hose connections seal properly under pressure.
Marine and Coastal Hardware
Stainless can be an expensive option for occasional fixings. Although zinc plated cleats, deck fittings and hose clamps would last for months in most environments, they would be destroyed within a short time in saltwater environments. Zinc Nickel Plating provides a cost effective solution for components that are exposed to marine or coastal environments.
Electrical Earthing Components
Earthing straps and connector lugs made from zinc nickel plating still need to have good conductivity but at the same time have to be corrosion resistant. The surface resistance of zinc nickel plating is low due to the nickel content. As a result, an earth connection will still function reliably after a long time rather than slowly going into oxide.
So if your component is to be used in any of these situations, consider Zinc Nickel Plating as an alternative to standard zinc plated parts.