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Between galvanizing and plating (zinc and nickel)

What is the difference between galvanizing and plating. I have a screw and want to galvanize zinc or nickel. But existing I have zinc and nickel plated screw. I don't know whether these two are the same or not. If not, what is the difference, what is the method for each and which one is better. Please advise.

Chew Soon Aik
- Penang, Malaysia

Nickel is electroplated and is an expensive cosmetic finish. Zinc can be electroplated and will look like nickel although not quite as nice, but it will provide cathodic protection to the steel. Galvanizing is a thick hot-dipped coating of no decorative value, but far more corrosion resistance because it is thicker. Galvanizing of screw threads can be a problem though, because of clearance tolerances.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
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