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plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989

The origin of Corrosion coatings

2003

My name is Helen, and I am an engineering student, I would like to know if anyone can tell me the history behind "Parkerizing" and "sherardizing", including who and when they were discovered.

Thanks.

Helen A [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England

Editor's Note:

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2003

Hi, Helen. The correct spelling is "sherardizing", apparently after Sherard Cowper. The Parker Chemical Co. was, I believe, a subsidiary of Ford during WWII.

The March 2004 edition of Metal Finishing Magazine contains an article by Dr. Benu Chatterjee on sherardizing, page 40. There are a number of used and inexpensive books about Sherardizing at this link at Amazon. Good luck.

Here are some additional threads about Sherardizing on this web site:

4872. Hot-dip galvanising alternatives

7460. Sherardizing vs galvanising

8222. Zinc-plating vs mechanical or hot dip galvanized coatings

8591. Sherardizing help?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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2003

Helen,

I sure hope that your engineering thesis will mention the ORIGINAL 'coatings', i.e., Sheffield Plate ... which sure predates Sherardizing and Parkerizing by a century or so!

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).

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2007

The Parker Chemical Company was formed in 1914 in Detroit, Michigan, and developed the phosphating process used for rust-proofing the early Ford autos. Parkerizing is only one of many metal-finishing technologies developed by the company. Parker was a division of Ford only during the period 1982-1987, after which it was purchased by the Henkel Corporation, which continues in this business world-wide to this very day.

Joseph Topping
- Frisco, Texas