Zinc & Zinc Alloy Plating

This finish is compatible with most substrates (base metals). Acid Chloride Zinc is easily plated over most substrates and is the best method if depositing zinc on malleable, high-carbon, heat-treated, and carburized substrates. One of the difficulties with this deposit is its high efficiency; a plating solution that has a high efficiency tends to plate the HCD (high current density) areas faster than the LCD (low current density) area. It is said to have a 10:1 ratio.

Main uses for chromates are corrosion resistance, bonding of organic finishes, chemical polishing, dyeing, hardness, heat resistance, electrical resistance, and fabrication.

Also known as peen plating or impact plating, had its origin some 50 years ago. Zinc deposits of less than .001 inches are considered mechanical plating while deposits greater than .001 inches up to .0022 inches are what we call Mechanical Galvanizing. The greatest attribute of any variety of peen plating is its ability to plate a high carbon steel or a spring steel with little or no induced hydrogen, hence no worries of hydrogen embrittlement and no need for subsequent post-plating bake to drive off any included hydrogen.

This is considered one of the most environmentally-friendly plating solutions. This is true because it was the first zinc plating solution to mimic the characteristics of cyanide zinc without the aid of cyanide as a grain refiner. It is a wonderful deposit on most common steel substrates. Its best attribute is its throwing power (ability to cover into recesses of parts), especially on deep drawn shell work. These LCD (low current density) areas are generally plated as bright and clear as the significant surfaces of a part. This electrolyte is said to have an HCD to LCD ratio of 3:1.