The annual global cost of corrosion is $2.5 trillion, equivalent to 3.4% of the worldwide GDP. In the US, the annual cost of corrosion surged past $1 trillion, affecting our national GDP by 6.2%. Corrosion affects infrastructure, transportation, production & manufacturing, utilities, and the federal government.
Chemical based methods to control the detriments of corrosion include:
- Metallic plated deposits with optional organic / chromate top coats.
- Corrosion inhibitor films.
- Non metallic parts in the form of polymers and plastics.
- Organic coatings such as paint & powder coat.
Per the values given, the traditional methods to control corrosion fall short, In fact, far short.
In a major development to minimize corrosion, thereby improving field service life of parts in challenging conditions, Zinc – Nickel alloy (ZN-Ni) plated finishes provide significant benefits. These include not only corrosion protection, but improved hardness, service life, and wear resistance.
Straight zinc plated deposits provide sacrificial corrosion protection over steel substrates. It is accomplished by the zinc deposit’s anodic potential to corrode first, protecting the steel base. This has been an industry accepted application for decades.
Paramount Metal Finishing offers a unique, significant improvement to corrosion protection. It is the Zinc – Nickel alloy deposit (Zn-Ni), composed of 85% Zinc & 15% Nickel. The focus of corrosion protection is immediately obvious by results of the ASTM B-117 Salt Spray Testing, on equivalent deposit thicknesses.
Salt Spray Results for Electroplated Deposits
The corrosion protection afforded by a deposit of Zn-Ni significantly outperforms straight Zinc by 2.7:1 (white corrosion) and significantly by 4.9:1 to red corrosion.
The Zn-Ni alloy deposit consists of 85% Zinc and 15% Nickel. Deposits normally range in thickness of 8-14 um, followed by a trivalent chromate of 0.06-0.1 um thickness.
Zn-Ni deposits approach 450 Vickers hardness. By comparison, Zinc deposits fall below 150 Vickers.
Zn-Ni deposits resist thermal stresses approaching 200 degC (392 degF) compared to Zinc deposits at only 120 degC (248 degF.
Other outstanding features of the Zn-Ni deposit include:
- RoHS and REACH compliant
- Meets requirements of ELV Directive
- Post plating chromates applied are RoHS compliant
- Excellent replacement for Cadmium plated deposits (eliminates possible carcinogenic exposure to Cadmium)
- Minimal tendency towards hydrogen embrittlement
Paramount Metal Finishing applies Zn-Ni to a variety of commercial and military parts, including: automotive, power generation, fasteners, construction, agricultural equipment, firearms, aerospace, lawn & garden, transportation, and heavy equipment.
Finishing capabilities range from standard parts to larger sizes and dimensions,
