Zinc nickel plating is an electroplating process that applies a sacrificial layer to substrate materials by passing an electric current through an acid bath while the substrate material is submerged within it. It is done to protect that substrate material from friction, mechanical stresses and corrosion.
What industry sectors use zinc nickel plating?
Zinc nickel plating is commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, industrial and marine sectors where products such as aircraft landing gear, car brake parts and boat hardware are produced to be used in demanding environments, such as in the air, at sea and at exceedingly high temperatures.
It is the plating method of choice for these sectors because companies such as www.swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/zinc-nickel-alloy-plating deliver a reliable result every time, satisfying stringent quality audits and ensuring that the end product will perform safely for a prolonged period.
Benefits of zinc nickel plating
Zinc nickel plating delivers superior adhesion, with the sacrificial coating being typically twice as hardwearing as that which can be achieved through galvanising. This means that products are far more resistant to wear and corrosion, last longer and are less likely to require premature replacement, leading to a corresponding decrease in the long-term cost of ownership of treated materials.
Though the upfront cost of zinc nickel plating exceeds that of galvanising, the long-term benefits far outweigh it. The corrosion resistance of substrates treated with zinc nickel plating will last far longer than those that have been galvanised when exposed to corrosive environments, including chemicals, humidity and salt, meaning that components last longer and require less maintenance.