Low Temperature Limit for Zinc Plate: Strong, Practical Answer

Summary for low temperature limit for zinc plate Discussion

Low temperature limit for zinc plated parts is the core question here, but George Shahin says the actual cold temperature is unlikely to be the root cause of the peeling. Bob Newkirk asked whether immersing zinc plated parts in liquid nitrogen before installation could make the plating peel, and Shahin replied that the issue is more likely thermal shock than a simple low-temperature limit. He notes that jumping from room temperature to liquid nitrogen is an extreme shock and that thermal shock is a known adhesion test for plating. His practical advice is to examine the pre-treatment carefully, especially to confirm the parts pass a water break test, since poor surface preparation is a more likely cause of adhesion failure.