What are the benefits of zinc nickel plating?

Zinc nickel plating is a high performance electroplated alloy coating providing exceptional corrosion resistance, durability and environmental benefits for industries that use steel and other ferrous components.

A specialised process

The UK has several thousand electroplating companies. However, zinc nickel plating is a complex procedure offered by only a relatively small number, such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/zinc-nickel-plating/.

Superior corrosion protection

Zinc nickel coatings provide better corrosion resistance than standard zinc plating, often lasting up to 10 times longer in harsh environments. In salt spray tests, properly applied zinc nickel can withstand 800-1000 hours before red rust appears, making it ideal for automotive, aerospace and any outdoor application. Like pure zinc, it acts sacrificially, corroding preferentially to protect the underlying steel substrate.

Greater durability and performance

The alloy coating is harder and more wear resistant than plain zinc, so it holds up well under mechanical stress, abrasion and repeated assembly or disassembly. It maintains good adhesion to steel and can even bond well to rubber in rubber to metal components, which is important in the manufacture of automotive and industrial parts. The deposit is typically smooth and blister free. It does not develop whiskers even after bending, which ensures a clean, reliable finish.

Cost and environmental advantages

Although more expensive than standard zinc coatings, zinc nickel plating reduces long term costs because it extends the life of components and reduces the need for maintenance and replacement. It is also more environmentally friendly than cadmium and many other heavy metal coatings, which makes it compliant with modern environmental and regulatory requirements.