In the automotive industry, the durability and life cycle of each part and component in the vehicle has an impact on quality, reputation, marketing, and even safety. In this industry, protecting parts and maximizing their effective duty cycle is not just a goal – it is a necessity.
Automobile parts and components are exposed to a variety of different corrosion and damaging materials and environments. These are parts that may be exposed to extreme heat, extreme pressure, fuel, oil, and other fluids, as well as to water and high humidity levels. Depending on where the vehicle is sold, salt can also be a factor, which can destroy many types of coatings and lead to rapid corrosion.
The Automotive Plating Advantages
Automotive manufacturers have long used automotive plating services to treat metal parts, particularly those that are exposed to water, humidity, salt, or other types of chemicals. The electroplating process can include zinc or, more commonly, zinc-nickel.
The choice of zinc-nickel electroplating provides a superior coating on the metal surface, creating a sacrificial coating that extends the life of the part by corroding first. The addition of nickel to the zinc adds to the sacrificial nature of the coating, and this can be further enhanced by using a passivation process. This is an additional clear layer added after the automotive plating process.
Both zinc and zinc-nickel plating provide a base for rubber to metal bonding, which is also an important consideration for many parts and components in the automotive industry.
