ZINC ELECTROPLATING

Zinc electroplating is a method of depositing zinc metal on the surface of another metal, such as steel, by immersing the steel component in an appropriate plating bath and applying an electrical current. Zinc travels through the electrolytic bath from the zinc anodes and attaches to the surface of the steel component. The thickness of zinc plating depends on the time spent in the plating bath, the amount of current, and the chemical composition of the bath

The performance of the zinc coating is determined from the required electroplating standard or specification that is nominated by the end user. The performance requirement differs greatly from industry to industry. The standard or specification details information such as zinc thickness, chromate coatings, salt spray performance and other quality requirements.

Depending on the desired colour, corrosion resistance and paint adhesion, you can choose between standard zinc and trivalent zinc coatings.

Zinc is more electrochemically reactive than steel, so when exposed to a corrosive environment, the zinc plating corrodes sacrificially, delaying rust formation on the steel component.