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Tin/ Zinc or EN for corrosion resistance

Hi;

Could you please tell me which plating process would offer the highest corrosion resistance in salt water on annealed steel? This is for salt water fishing tackle.

High Phosphorous Electroless Nickel or a 70%/30% tin zinc combo with a yellow hex coating.

(I'm not in this Industry so I hope I am explaining this correctly. These are the two suggestions I have been receiving)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joe Tratner
- Bartlett, Illinois, USA
 

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What part of the fishing tackle? bail, body, handle, spindle, etc.?

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
 

Hi Tom;

I've been away on vacation so I haven't had the chance to respond to your question. Specifically I am looking for the best plating option for split rings (they attach the hooks to the body of the lure).

Thanks,

Joe Trattner
- Bartlett, Illinois, USA
 

I believe a short and concise description of the capabilities of each finish will be the biggest help to you. Tin/Zinc alloy is really no more than a mixture of 70 parts Tin; 30 parts Zinc. It protects the ferrous metal underneath by "Sacrificial Galvanic Protection." This means the top plated coating sacrifices itself to protect the ferrous metal underneath. The Electroless Nickel encapsulates the base metal and forms a tough shield for the base metal.

Being nothing more then a novice fisherman, I believe that in this particular case, I would opt for the Electroless Nickel (High Phosphorus). Be sure that you specify at least one mil thickness to your professional plater. At this point, you should get a silvery semi bright plated coating that should give decent protection to salt water environments.

In order to give you an idea of how chemically inert this coating is, industrial ball valves that handle many chemicals are routinely plated with Electroless Nickel.

Good luck with your search. There are many qualified Platers who can plate your job.

Good luck.

Ed Budman [dec]
- Pennsylvania
With deep sadness we advise that our good friend Ed passed away Nov. 24, 2018