Zinc Nickel Plated Fasteners Small Size

2024-08-29 by Cherry

Introduction

In modern industry, the quality and durability of 

fasteners play a vital role in the stability of

the entire mechanical system. 

Zinc-nickel plating, as an effective anti-corrosion

coating is widely used in various fasteners, especially

on those occasions where the anti-corrosion performance

is extremely high. 

This article will explore the application of zinc-nickel

plating on small-size fasteners and their relevance to

die-casting machine manufacturing, as well as how this

technology can improve product performance. ‌

Overview of zinc-nickel plating

Zinc-nickel plating is a metal alloy electroplating

process that provides excellent corrosion protection

by depositing an alloy layer of zinc and nickel on 

the surface of the fastener. 

The nickel content in the coating is usually between

12% and 15%, which makes zinc-nickel plating superior

to traditional pure zinc plating in corrosion resistance

and wear resistance.

Characteristics of zinc-nickel plating

Zinc-nickel plating combines the sacrificial anode properties

of zinc and the high corrosion resistance of nickel,

allowing fasteners to maintain a long service life in harsh

environments. 

Compared with other protective coatings, zinc-nickel

plating performs particularly well in high-temperature 

and high-humidity environments.

Advantages of zinc-nickel plating

Excellent corrosion resistance: zinc-nickel plating

can maintain corrosion resistance for more than 1,000

hours in salt spray tests.

Excellent wear resistance: The addition of nickel

significantly improves the hardness of the plating, 

making it perform well in friction environments.

Environmentally friendly: The electroplating process

of zinc-nickel plating is relatively environmentally

friendly and reduces the emission of harmful substances.

Demand for small-size fasteners

Small-size fasteners are widely used in electronic 

equipment, precision instruments, automobile manufacturing,

and other fields, which have extremely high requirements

for the dimensional accuracy, surface treatment, and

durability of fasteners. Zinc-nickel plating has become

an ideal surface treatment solution for small-size

fasteners due to their excellent characteristics.

Characteristics of small-size fasteners

Small-size fasteners are usually a few millimeters or 

even smaller in diameter but have extremely high requirements

in terms of load-bearing weight and corrosion resistance.

These fasteners need to be precisely manufactured to ensure

that no errors occur during assembly.

Application of small-size fasteners

Small-size fasteners are widely used in:

1. Electronic equipment: such as mobile phones, tablets, 

smartwatches, etc.

2. Automotive industry: especially the fixing of interior trims

and precision parts.

3. Medical equipment: requires strict anti-corrosion and non-toxic

requirements.

The relationship between zinc-nickel plating and 

die-casting machines

The relationship between the small size of zinc-nickel

plated fasteners and die-casting machines are mainly

reflected in the dimensional accuracy and the control

of die-casting process. ‌

The dimensional accuracy of die-casting parts is one of 

the key features of the structural processability of 

die-casting parts. It is affected by many factors, 

including the design and manufacturing accuracy of

the die-casting mold, the control of the die-casting 

process, etc. 

The dimensional accuracy of die-casting parts 

directly affects their assembly and use performance, 

and must meet the product design and specification requirements.

For small-sized zinc-nickel plated fasteners, the control of

their dimensional accuracy is particularly important,

because small-sized parts have higher requirements for

dimensional accuracy and any slight deviation may affect

their function and use effect.

The selection and use of die-casting machines are crucial

to ensure the dimensional accuracy of die-casting parts.

The performance and parameter settings of the die-casting

machine directly affects the filling, solidification, and

the cooling process of the molten metal during the die-casting

process, which in turn affects the dimensional accuracy of 

the final product. 

For example, the settings of the die-casting

machine's clamping force, injection pressure, mold temperature,

and other parameters need to be finely adjusted according to

the specific die-casting materials and product requirements

to ensure the dimensional accuracy and surface quality 

of small-sized parts.

When manufacturing small-sized fasteners, die-casting machines

are often used to produce the raw material parts of these

fasteners, especially in large-scale production.

The combination of zinc-nickel plating and die-casting

machines are the key to achieving high-performance fasteners.

The role of die-casting machines in the production of

small-sized fasteners

The die-casting machine injects liquid metal into the mold

under high pressure to quickly form the initial shape of 

the fastener. 

This method can not only efficiently produce

small-sized fasteners, but also ensure the accuracy and 

consistency of the product. The use of die-casting machines

not only improves production efficiency but also lays a

solid foundation for subsequent surface treatment.

The combination of die-casting and zinc-nickel plating

Although the die-casting machine can form quickly, the finished

fasteners usually require further surface treatment due to 

the properties of the metal material. Zinc-nickel plating

plays an important role in this stage.

It not only provides excellent corrosion protection

but also enhances the durability of the fasteners.

Die castings treated with zinc-nickel plating can

be used in more demanding environments.

Importance of quality control

In the manufacturing process of small-size fasteners, the 

combination of die casting and plating processes requires strict

quality control. Any slight error may cause product failure. 

The uniformity and thickness control of zinc-nickel plating is 

the key to ensuring the quality of the final product.

Application examples of zinc-nickel plated fasteners

Zinc-nickel plated fasteners are widely used in various industries,

especially in those occasions where high corrosion resistance of

fasteners are required. 

The following are several typical application examples:

1. Automobile industry

In automobile manufacturing, zinc-nickel-plated fasteners are

widely used to fix chassis and engine components. 

These parts are exposed to harsh environments such as rain, 

salt, and mud for a long time. Zinc-nickel plating can effectively

prevent corrosion and extend the service life of the parts.

2. Electronic equipment

Small-size fasteners are crucial in electronic equipment,

especially when electrochemical corrosion needs to be prevented.

Zinc-nickel plating not only provides good corrosion resistance

but also prevents electrochemical reactions inside electronic 

equipment, thereby improving the reliability of the equipment.

3. Aerospace

The aerospace industry has extremely high-quality requirements

for fasteners, especially at high altitudes and in extreme

climate conditions. The excellent performance of zinc-nickel 

plating makes it the first choice for small-sized fasteners 

in the aerospace field.

Production Challenges of Zinc-Nickel Plated Fasteners

Although zinc-nickel-plated fasteners excel in many aspects,

the challenges in their production process cannot be ignored.

Here are some key production challenges and their coping

strategies:

1. Plating uniformity

Due to the complex geometry of small-sized fasteners,

ensuring the uniformity of the plating becomes a major

challenge. Non-uniform plating thickness may cause the 

performance of the fastener to deteriorate or even fail.

To this end, the electroplating process requires strict 

parameter control, such as precise regulation of current

density, time, and temperature.

2. Surface pretreatment

Before the fasteners are zinc-nickel plated, they must

be surface pretreated to remove any impurities and oxides.

This step is critical to the adhesion and anti-corrosion 

performance of the coating. Inadequately treated surfaces

may cause the coating to fall off or bubbles to appear,

affecting the overall performance of the fastener.

3. Post-plating treatment

The fasteners after zinc-nickel plating need to be 

passivated to further enhance their corrosion resistance.

Passivation can form an additional protective film and 

increase the durability of the coating. However, during

the passivation process, it is necessary to pay attention

to control the concentration of chemical agents and 

the treatment time to avoid damage to the coating due

to excessive treatment.

In addition, the small size of zinc-nickel-plated fasteners

also involves the control of coating performance.

For example, the proportion of zinc-nickel content in the

coating and the color of the coating after passivation

are affected by factors such as the temperature of the

plating solution, the current density, and the main components

of the plating solution. 

The control of these factors

is not only related to the beauty and corrosion resistance 

of the coating, but also indirectly affects the small size 

and shape of the fasteners, thereby affecting their performance

and life.

Development trend of zinc-nickel plating technology

With the changes in industrial demand and the advancement 

of technology, zinc-nickel plating technology is also developing.

The following are several future development trends of 

zinc-nickel plating technology:

1. Environmentally friendly plating technology

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, 

zinc-nickel plating technology is developing in a more 

environmentally friendly direction. 

The introduction of new lead-free plating processes 

and low-energy electroplating 

equipment will help reduce environmental pollution while 

improving production efficiency.

2. High-performance plating development

The future zinc-nickel plating will not only be limited 

to corrosion protection but will also have more functions,

such as self-healing properties, antibacterial properties, 

etc. 

The introduction of these new functions will further 

expand the application range of zinc-nickel-plated fasteners

and meet more complex industrial needs.

3. Automation and Intelligence

With the advancement of Industry 4.0, the level of automation

and intelligence in the production process of zinc-nickel

plating will continue to improve. Automated electroplating

lines and intelligent monitoring systems will be able to monitor

and adjust plating parameters in real time to ensure the 

stability and consistency of product quality.

Conclusion

Zinc-nickel plated fasteners, especially small-sized fasteners,

have become an indispensable part of the modern industry due to their

excellent corrosion resistance and a wide range of applications.

By combining with traditional manufacturing technologies such as

die-casting machines, zinc-nickel plating technology further 

improves the performance and durability of fasteners.

For more info, you can refer to: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@lk_diecastingmachine/video/7405113006880820522 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JLX410QV_kw

To learn further info about Die Casting Machines,

pls contact LK Die Casting Machine Authorized Official Agent

LK OFFICIAL AGENT OFFICE DCM

LK Die Casting Machine Authorized Official Agent for Egypt(EGY)

Saudi Arabia(ksa)

United Arab Emirates(UAE)

The Islamic Republic of Iran(Iran)

Qatar(QAT)

The State of Kuwait(Kuwait)

The Middle East

Address: 1. Industry Zone, South of Port Said Kebly, Cairo, Egypt

      2. EX 14., EASTERN RING ROAD, AI RAYAN DISTRICT,

         RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Arabic Website： https://ae.zazdiecasting.com/

English Website: https://www.zazdiecasting.com/

Phone/WhatsApp/Wechat: 0086 13598704163

Mobile: +20 101 304 3317      +20 150 181 8310

Email: jack@zazmae.com       ahmedmahmoud@zazmae.com