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Visual difference in zinc and nickel

Is is possible to visually tell the difference between Electroless Nickel and Zinc Plate on two identical parts? If so, how?

Phil Gordon
- Kilkeel, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
2003

I used to think I could tell until someone sent me a particular aluminum part that was partially brite dipped & anodized and partially etched & electroless nickel plated and I couldn't even distinguish between the anodizing and EN for sure without a resistance meter :-)

EN is usually quite shiny, almost chrome-like; and usually zinc plating (especially alkaline and CN) is more gray and lacking in pizazz. But I wouldn't bet a coffee on my being able to tell visually. (I'd bet a beer, of course--there's never a loser when you bet a beer).

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

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