Zinc Nickel Plating Vs Cadmium Plating

We are currently looking for an alternative to cadmium plated parts.

Zinc nickel plating vs cadmium plating. Summary zinc vs nickel plating. Zn ni alloy coatings usually composed of approximately 85 zinc and 15 nickel are electroplated on carbon steel as a protective coating in a process similar to the way zinc coatings are applied. In search of alternatives. A discussion started in 2002 but continuing through 2019.

Zinc nickel alloy plating with 10 to 14 nickel in the deposit provides a corrosion resistant solution. 2 since then zinc nickel technology has become increasingly popular in other industries. The key difference between zinc and nickel plating is that the purpose of zinc plating is to apply a thin coating of zinc on a conductive substance whereas nickel plating involves the application of a thin layer of. It is very important to not specify cadmium plating indiscriminately because of its health effects in fact it is prohibited from many applications in many countries.

Common specifications for zinc nickel are found throughout vehicle manufacturing industry and astm b841 or ams 2417. The disadvantage is that it has porosity. In industrial terms plating refers to the coating of a conductive material with a metal. The argument for an equivalent to cadmium plate has been going round and round.

In 1956 over 60 percent of all cadmium was used for coating iron or steel. This coating can be for a decorative purpose corrosion inhibition to harden improve wearability reduce friction alter conductivity etc. To overcome this shortcoming multi layer metal plating can be used and nickel is the intermediate layer. Zinc alloys zinc cobalt zinc nickel zinc iron and tin zinc are the most common substitutes.

Zinc nickel provides performance for the cost premium relative to zinc and cadmium plating. The parts are threaded assemblies and maintaining tight dimensions is critical. Zinc nickel delivers corrosion resistance and high electrical conductivity. However over the years this has decreased to as little as 7 percent in 2006 and materials like zinc nickel plating are seeing more and more use.

Zinc nickel can also provide high temperature corrosion protection about 500 f where many other finishes begin to fall off in performance. Zinc nickel is used to plate fasteners for use in high corrosion areas under the hood and chassis joints. Developed an acid zinc nickel plating process in 1992 as an alternative to cadmium plating in aerospace applications. In electronics zinc nickel is used to plate connectors where zinc nickel has been used as a direct cadmium replacement.

When the industry was looking for a viable replacement to cadmium they tried zinc electroplate. Main difference cadmium plating vs zinc plating.