Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Unwanted yellow tint on zinc plated steel

We have recently received some zinc plated steel parts that have an unwanted yellow tint to them. We have been getting this part for two years now with a desired silver-chrome color. My predecessor has called for 1018 Cold Rolled Steel zinc plated per ASTM B633 TYPE 1, Class FE/ZN5-SC-1. I would like some help determining if I need to change the spec on the drawing or if the coating is not to spec.

Tim Ewing
product designer - Austin, Texas, United States
2007

Hi, sounds like your plater is using the same rinse water for both clear passivate and colour passivate and getting cross contamination, if so some of the colour pass is affecting the silver effect you desire....Make sure they are using clean running water and separate tanks for each passivate.

Mr Ian Collins
- Kent, England
2007

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: