Letter 11004

Fe/Zn 8 thickness clarification 

When ASTM B-633 [link is to spec at TechStreet] specifies SC2 (Fe/Zn8) does this mean a minimum or an exact? Can the supplier send us material with a range of 8-12 microns with the 9-12 microns having a deposit build up which interfers with the functionality of our part?

Janice Tessier
- Sealy, TX, USA

To the best of my knowledge, the thickness is the minimum. It would be very difficult to obtain a certain thickness exactly, for example 8 microns. We need to have a range on the thickness.

You could specify also a maximum thickness, and work with your supplier to see if it is possible to work on this range.

I hope this helps.

Enrique Segovia
- Monterrey, Mexico

Hello Janice,

Is the product that you are having a problem with a fastener? The spec. Fe/Zn 8 calls out a minimum specification (0.00031") for zinc on steel, I believe. However, a standard 2A/2B thread fit only has an allowance for finishing of 0.00025". If the plater is trying to meet the intent of the specification which you have called out, and the fastener is relatively long, it is very possible that there will be enough zinc on the starter thread to cause a thread interference. The same issue can occur on a stamping with a threaded hole.

Hope that this helps.

Best regards,

Brian A. Calver, CEF
- Grimsby, ON, Canada

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