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What is
Zinc Electroplating?
Zinc
electroplating is a soft, ductile, decorative,
corrosion-resistant finish. Unlike most other
commonly plated metals, zinc protects the
substrate. The protection is accomplished by
sacrificing itself. The zinc corrodes before
the base metal thereby protecting the base
metal. For additional corrosion protection,
chromates are applied over the zinc. Chromates
used in the zinc electroplating process become
a component of the coating. Chromate films are
typically very thin, and the chromate coating
provides no measurable thickness to the
overall coating.
The
Georgia Plating Zinc Electroplating Process
Georgia Plating
uses an acid chloride zinc plating process to
provide our customers with zinc coated parts
that meet the most stringent requirements.
After the zinc plating process is complete,
surface color of the finish provides insight
into the level of corrosion resistance
provided by the zinc electroplating. The
following chart shows the possible range of
corrosion protection, depending upon the type
of chromate, that each color of zinc plating
can provide including non-hexavalent
chromates.
|
Color |
Salt Spray Corrosion
Resistance Level |
|
Clear |
24–140 hours |
|
Yellow |
72-200 hours |
|
Olive Drab |
96-240 hours |
|
Black |
72-160 hours |
|
Alloys of zinc
are available to provide greatly
extended corrosion resistance. High
performance zinc plating top coats can be
added to further extend the corrosion
resistance of the zinc plated finishes.
Contact our expert engineering group at (toll
free number) for assistance in determining the
best process for your application.
The
Georgia Plating Quality Commitment
In order to
provide the highest level of zinc
electroplating quality to our customers,
Georgia Plating has met all of the
requirements of the ISO 9002 Quality
Management System. In addition, Georgia
Plating continues to improve quality by using
Statistical Control Process (SPC).
The American
automobile companies have recognized that
their customers demand high quality
automobiles. Georgia Plating has met that
challenge by completing the certification
requirements of the QS9000 standard developed
by the American automotive industry.
Engineering
assistance is available for choosing top coats
required for the customers’ acid chloride zinc
plating requirements. Georgia Plating utilizes
a completely automated, computer controlled
process. Consistency of our processes is
ensured by the commitment to the proper
maintenance of equipment and the continuous
training of the Georgia Plating team members.
We Care
About Our Community and Our Customers
Through the use
of non-polluting materials and processes,
Georgia Plating supports the goal of clean air
and clean water for our community and our
state. By using non-hexavalent chromates, air
and water pollution are (eliminated or
minimized?). Recycling is an integral part of
our acid chloride zinc process. The non-hexavalent
chromates also meet all of the standards
required by our customers. |