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NICKEL/ZINC PLATING PROCESS 101

 

MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS INVOLVED IN ELECTROLYTIC NICKEL/ZINC COATING OF LOW AND HIGH CARBON STRIP STEEL? OUR CURRENT LINE IS CAPABLE OF ZINC COATING AND COPPER COATING STRIP STEEL WITH A CN CARRIER. I AM INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF Ni/Zn COATING. I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS PRODUCT AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE PROCESS IS TO USE A NICKEL ZINC ALLOY ANNODE IN THE PLATING CELLS OR INDIVIDUAL ZINC CELLS AND NICKEL CELLS. DOES THE PROCESS USE A CN CARRIER OR A CN LESS CARRIER.

PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU CAN HELP ME IN THIS QUEST.

THANK YOU

ALAN F. LEO
- AUSTINTOWN, OHIO USA

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Alan,

There are many chemical suppliers of the zinc-nickel plating processes that should be able to help you. Check the finishing services guide book. There are two types of zinc-nickel alloy: a low alloy with a 5% to 12% nickel content and a high alloy with a 13% to 18% nickel content. The high alloy has best corrosion protection; however, the low alloy is more ductile and is better suite for parts that may get bend or crimp later. The solution base is sodium hydroxide and I believe there are some acid base processes as well. The process that I use has, which is the NaOH base, has an off-line zinc generator and inert nickel plated steel anodes. Nickel metal concentrate is added based on amp-hours. There are other process that have separate zinc and nickel anodes in the bath which are controlled by separate power supplies in the same cell.

Karl Weyermann
- Lebanon, Kentucky