Plating & metallizing · finish comparison
Zinc-Flake Dip-Spin Coating vs Zinc-Nickel Plating
Zinc-Flake Dip-Spin Coating and Zinc-Nickel Plating are both electroplating & electroless plating finishes; zinc-nickel is the lower-cost option ($$).
Zinc-Flake Dip-Spin Coating
Electroplating & electroless plating · $$$ · instant quote
Zinc-flake is a non-electrolytic zinc/aluminum-flake basecoat, often with a topcoat, for fasteners and high-strength steel.
Zinc-Nickel Plating
Electroplating & electroless plating · $$ · instant quote
Zinc-nickel is a sacrificial alloy electrodeposit used on steel where plain zinc is insufficient.
When to choose which
Choose Zinc flake
Choose Zinc flake when avoiding electrolytic hydrogen charging is critical.
- Common systems target 600–1000 h to red rust
- Typical 6–15 µm total coating
- No electrolytic hydrogen charging
Choose Zinc-nickel
Choose Zinc-nickel when a thin metallic electrodeposit and automotive-qualified finish are preferred.
- Typically 720–1000 h to red rust for qualified 12–15% Ni systems
- Only 5–15 µm metallic deposit for precision steel parts
- Better heat and corrosion performance than plain zinc
What the numbers say
- Zinc-nickel is the lower-cost option ($$).
- Zinc flake is insulating; Zinc-nickel is conductive.
- Zinc flake tolerates more heat (180 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Zinc flake | Zinc-nickel |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 85 Excellent | 86 Excellent |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | 60 Good |
| Cosmetic quality | 35 Fair | 48 Fair |
| Lubricity | 55 Good | 28 Low |
| Cost | 42 $$$ | 30 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Zinc flake | Zinc-nickel |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 6–15 µm | 5–15 µm |
| Surface hardness | — | 350–500 HV |
| Salt-spray test duration | 600–1,000 h | 720–1,000 h |
| Max service temperature | 180 °C | 120 °C |
| Electrical | Insulating | Conductive |
| Colours | silver gray, black | clear, black |
| Relative cost | Premium ($$$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 4–8 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Zinc flake | Zinc-nickel |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| DMLS / SLM | Limited | With care |
| Aluminum | No | Limited |
| Brass | No | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | No | Limited |
| Stainless Steel | Limited | Limited |
| Zinc Alloy | No | Limited |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
Zinc flake
- ASTM F1136 — Standard Specification for Zinc/Aluminum Corrosion Protective Coatings for Fasteners
- ISO 10683 — Fasteners — Non-Electrolytically Applied Zinc Flake Coating Systems
ZINC-FLAKE COATING PER ISO 10683, 8 µm MIN, SILVER, INTEGRAL LUBRICATED TOPCOAT; 720 H MIN TO RED RUST PER ASTM B117; COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION 0.10–0.16
Zinc-nickel
- ASTM B841 — Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Zinc Nickel Alloy Deposits
ZINC-NICKEL PLATE PER ASTM B841, 12–15% Ni, 10 µm MIN, CLEAR TRIVALENT PASSIVATE AND SEALER; BAKE PER ASTM B850
Zinc flake vs Zinc-nickel — frequently asked
What is the difference between Zinc flake and Zinc-nickel?
Zinc-Flake Dip-Spin Coating and Zinc-Nickel Plating are both electroplating & electroless plating finishes; zinc-nickel is the lower-cost option ($$). Zinc flake is insulating; Zinc-nickel is conductive. Zinc flake tolerates more heat (180 °C continuous).
When should I use Zinc flake instead of Zinc-nickel?
Choose Zinc flake when avoiding electrolytic hydrogen charging is critical. Conversely: choose Zinc-nickel when a thin metallic electrodeposit and automotive-qualified finish are preferred.
Is Zinc flake or Zinc-nickel cheaper?
Zinc-nickel is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$$ for Zinc flake) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.
Which lasts longer in salt spray, Zinc flake or Zinc-nickel?
Zinc-nickel. Zinc flake is rated 600–1,000 h and Zinc-nickel 720–1,000 h in neutral salt spray (ASTM B117 or the qualification hours of the governing specification). The figures are for the finish as specified on a clean, properly pre-treated substrate; sealing, thickness class and substrate alloy move them.