Metals are often finished with a coating to achieve a specific purpose or appearance. For example, some coatings are used to reduce the risk of corrosion and to apply a certain colour finish for aesthetic purposes. But what about zinc nickel plating? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is the Purpose of Zinc Nickel Plating?
Zinc nickel plating from companies such as swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/zinc-nickel-alloy-plating is often used to make a metal surface more resistant to corrosion. This is achieved by electroplating, or electro-depositing, zinc and nickel onto the metal components of surfaces. The plated coating typically comprises 11-16% nickel, and the remainder is zinc. Some specifications can use a bigger range, but this particular range usually offers the best performance.
This coating can also be used to reduce the risk of small scratches. As a top coat, it tends to work better than zinc for applications that are used in high temperatures. The active nature of zinc-nickel on steel means that even if the coating is damaged or scratched, the zinc-nickel will act as a ‘sacrificial anode’ and sacrifice itself to continue to provide base metal protection.
What Are the Advantages of Nickel Plating?
As well as improving corrosion resistance, zinc nickel plating is better than standard zinc plating and also less toxic than cadmium plating, which represents a risk to metal finishers that work closely with the products. At the same time, it has also become more cost-effective in recent years as technologies have refined. Before this, zinc-nickel plating was expensive, as it is an expensive product.
What Kinds of Coatings Are Available?
With zinc nickel plating, there are various thicknesses available as well as passivated or unpassivated finishes, depending on the fabricator’s needs. Topcoats can also be used.
How Do Fabricators Plate Metal?
Fabricators will use a range of spraying, plasma, thermal and other specialist machinery to apply zinc nickel coatings and other types of protective metal coating. This is a skilled and specialist job that requires knowledge and experience to achieve the best results, and qualified metal fabricators and sprayers are always in demand.
