The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Students Need Urgent Help

1998

To Whom it may Concern:

I am a college student writing on belhalf of my scientific methods class. We have been asked to find out about zinc coating washers. So far we know we would use the process of zinc electroplating. We also think that we would put the washers in a zinc nitrate bath. However, we must find the thickness of the zinc that would cover the washers. We also are required to find out how much this would cost. We want to hypothetically coat 25,000 washers. Any assistance that you would be willing to offer would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Sarah Riching
Samford University - Birmingham, Alabama

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Sarah,

Why don't you and some of your fellow students see if you are able to visit an electroplating shop (look in the yellow pages). You are off track with the zinc nitrate idea.The washers would be plated from a proprietary acid zinc chloride plating bath. The thickness you need depends on the application, but about 0.0002" would be typical (and on the light side). Most shops don't like to really quote "by the pound", but for the purpose of student research, I think they would give you a number (they probably wouldn't want to print it on the web here, though).

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1998