If you’re looking for expert Black Zinc Finishing services at reasonable rates, then you’ve come to the right place. At R & S Plating, we offer the very best metal finishing services including black zinc plating, passivation, hard chrome plating, nital etching, copper plating, and more.
With more than 70 years in the metal plating industry, you can trust the quality of service you receive at R & S Plating. Our expert technicians have spent years honing their craft so they can provide the community with the superior metal finishing services they require.
If you’d like to talk to a member of our staff about your metal plating needs, we welcome your call. You can reach us at 317-925-2396 or simply fill out the convenient contact form located on our site.
About Black Zinc Finishing
While we do provide a broad range of metal plating services, one of the most popular options we offer is black zinc finishing.
Many different companies make use of Black Zinc Finishing including those in the electronics, automotive, firearm, military, and construction industries. This finish can be found on items such as chassis joints, screws, brake calipers, nuts, bolts, power steering components, trim, fasteners, and more.
There are many reasons for the popularity of black zinc plating. One of the biggest reasons is its ability to provide an object with an additional layer of protection. As with many other electroplated metals, coating an item with black zinc strengthens the underlying object and keeps it protected from outside elements, friction, heat, etc.
Other reasons for choosing black zinc plating include:
1. Its Ability to Mold Around a Variety of Shapes
There are some metal finishes that have a hard time getting into awkwardly-shaped nooks and crannies. Not so with black zinc! Zinc is known to be a very ductile metal.
Ductility means that the metal tends to expand when put under pressure; instead of breaking and cracking, it stretches and bends. That’s a great quality to have when you’re trying to find a metal finish that adheres to oddly shaped items.
2. It Can Be Used with Many Different Substrates.
Do you remember when you were in elementary school and one of the comments the teacher made on your report card was “plays well with others”? That pretty much sums up zinc and its relationship to other materials.
You don’t have to worry about zinc reacting to substrates and damaging them. Zinc plating is known to be a “low-stress deposit.” That means you can use black zinc plating on a variety of substrates, and it won’t put excessive strain on the material.
3. It Has a Striking Color.
When it comes to metal finishes, black zinc plating has a one-of-a-kind color. As you’ve likely seen, most metal finishes are bright, shiny, and highly reflective. Black zinc, on the other hand, has a beautiful dark matte finish that’s unmistakable.
This look is achieved through the addition of black chromate to the finishing process; once the object has received its initial zinc coating, it is then treated with a layer of black chromate. This serves to inhibit corrosion while maintaining electrical conductivity.
4. It Improves Strength Without Adding A Lot of Extra Weight.
When adding metal to an object, it makes sense that the weight of the plated object is going to increase. The problem is that sometimes the additional weight can make the item cumbersome which diminishes its performance.
Black zinc is an excellent choice when you need a metal overlay for protection without all the extra weight. Zinc is relatively light compared to other metal finishes. That means you get the benefit of increased strength without taking on too much-added weight.
5. It’s an Affordable Metal Finish.
If you want metal plating that provides exemplary protection without breaking the bank, the black zinc plating might be a good choice for you. Black zinc is one of the most budget-friendly finishes currently available on the market.
With finishes like gold or cadmium, the cost really adds up. But you don’t have to worry about that with black zinc – you get top-tier benefits without the sizeable price tag.
Is Black Zinc Finishing Right for You?
Black zinc does have a lot to offer, but keep in mind that it may not be the best solution for every company.
For example, if the parts you’re using will be rubbing repeatedly against one another, you might want to consider a metal with more lubricity that will allow for freer movement. Black Zinc Finishing also tends to be applied in a thicker layer, so it’s not suitable for tight-fitting parts.
If you’d like to learn more about black zinc plating and whether it’s the right solution for you, feel free to contact us. All you need to do is give us a call. We can be reached at 317-925-2396. We look forward to talking with you soon!