How zinc nickel plating is used in automotive applications

Cars have to cope with a lot, from rain and road salt to heat, vibration and plenty of grime. That’s actually a really tough environment for exposed metal parts, which is exactly why manufacturers use protective coatings on cars to slow down any possible corrosion.

Where the coating is used

Zinc nickel plating is usually applied to any fasteners, brackets, brake components, fuel system parts and fittings under the bonnet or under the vehicle. These are the areas on a car that regularly face issues like moisture, salt and changing temperatures, so an ordinary finish isn’t going to last too long.

The coating on these parts combines zinc with a smaller amount of nickel, which creates stronger corrosion resistance than standard zinc on its own. It also performs really well at higher temperatures, so it’s much better on engines and other hot components. Automotive suppliers usually work with specialists like www.swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/zinc-nickel-alloy-plating/ to get this right.

Why manufacturers choose it

A great feature of this plating is its compatibility with aluminium, because modern vehicles use it to reduce weight, and zinc nickel can help limit galvanic corrosion where different metals meet.

The coating can also be combined with sealants or topcoats for even more protection and that makes it suitable for parts that we need to survive for years on wet roads without rusting too quickly.

So, when we need reliability and temperature resistance for a long time, this type of protection offers a great way to look after important automotive parts and reduce the risk of early failure.

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