In the ever-evolving world of industries, a wide range of components is facing the need for modern specifications and solutions. Expanding to the ultimate goal of reliability and structural integrity of many products today, fasteners are expected to provide enhanced properties that can cater to the wide demands of different industries. The stringent standards resulted from the need to fight several problems that may compromise the overall performance of products, vehicles, buildings, and every mechanical assembly.

As technology develops to become more adapted to the intricate demands of the modern world, manufacturers succeeded in bringing an efficient solution to combat the common enemy of industrial components: corrosion. The zinc-flake coating is a popular solution developed to resist corrosion in metals such as fastener devices and even up to small components. 

What is Zinc-flake Coating?

Fastener types such as screws, bolts, nuts, and even the smallest kinds can be adequately protected from corrosion to avoid compromising their structural integrity. Zinc-flake coating mainly consists of a mixture of zinc and aluminum flakes bonded together by some sort of an inorganic matrix. They are a non-electrolytically applied coating that can withstand corrosion and provide good protection on fasteners. Typically, the coating is applied in two layers – a base coat and a top coat, to protect the base metal of fasteners the zinc acts as a layer that will sacrifice itself.

History of Zinc-flake Coating

Due to the measurable results of electrolytically zinc-plated surfaces such as little corrosion protection and risk of hydrogen embrittlement, many industries were seeking better corrosion protection systems. In the 1970s, a coating system was developed to answer the call for protective coating of metals – zinc-flake coating. The coating can effectively avoid hydrogen embrittlement and provide a high level of protection against corrosion.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the automotive industry was the first to spread the use of these coating systems due to its high level of corrosion resistance and the absence of hydrogen in the process of using them. They are also used as an alternative solution to electroplating in critical applications.

Benefits and Advantages of Zinc-Flake Coating on Fasteners

Here are some of the unique characteristics of zinc-flake coating:

• Good appearance
• Excellent protection against corrosion (depending on coating thickness)
• Resistance to extreme temperatures
• Good chemical resistance
• Environmentally friendly
• Good friction characteristics (especially on bolts and nuts)
• No warm-loosening torque
• No risk for high-strength fasteners of any hydrogen embrittlement
• Some electrical conductivity
• Fewer corrosion byproducts (such as white rust and other types of zinc protection)
• Broad versatility for different parts of mechanical assemblies

To understand how the coating works, it is applied on the surface of fasteners or any metal and when exposed to a corrosive compound the zinc will sacrifice itself to protect the base surface. It is an ideal coating system for critical industries of wind power systems, construction, electrical equipment, and others. 

Applications of Zinc-Flake Coating on Fasteners

The zinc-flake coating is a popular protection for corrosion in various industries and assemblies including:

• Automotive Industry: Zinc-flake coating is applied in automotive sub-frames, chassis, fasteners, springs
• MEP Industry (Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing): Zinc-flake coating is widely utilized in construction building components
• Energy Plants: Zinc-flake coating is an effective solution for corrosion in wind energy generators
• Commercial/Recreational Applications: Zinc-flake coating is used in a wide array of home appliances
• Industrial and Manufacturing Industry: Lastly, the zinc-flake coating is applied in multiple fastening devices such as threaded fasteners and small integrated components or bolts, nuts, pressing, springs, and clips.

Fastener Finishing and Coatings from Prince Fastener

Prince Fastener is a leading company that specializes in delivering high-quality fasteners, coatings, and other fastening devices. We offer a diverse range of standard and non-standard fasteners and different kinds of coatings or treatments for durable and reliable mechanical components such as zinc coating, galvanizing, and more. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.