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Zinc-Nickel Plating as Cadmium Replacement

We are an end user of plated fastener products. My question is what is the effect of the nickel content in nickel-zinc plating? i.e. is more nickel better and what percentage gives the best corrosion resistance. We have changed from Cad to Zinc because of our corporate environmental policy.

Pete Ruzicka
- Manlius, NY

People usually refer to this type of plating as "zinc-nickel" and not nickel-zinc. There are conflicting opinions on what percentage of nickel in this alloy is best. Some people prefer the 6 to 8% nickel alloy, while some prefer higher alloys from 14 to 20%. It really depends on who you talk to and what they're selling. My company uses the low alloy in the US and the high alloy in the UK, and we don't know which is best. The higher alloy may give better corrosion protection, but will be more brittle and can be more costly.

Just make sure that if you are operating a zinc-nickel bath, plate at the alloy % the solution is designed for. There are different organic additives for the different alloy ranges.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan

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