The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Is there any difference between "Zn/Fe" and "Zn-Fe" plating

2005

My name is Henry, working for a fastener company. I have received a customer complaint about zinc-iron-black (R2R) was failed by salt-spray-test for 96 hours, and the customer require this test for 480 hours as an international standard. Therefore, I want to know is there any standard I can search and print it out as an evidence?

What are the different symbols between "zn/fe" and "zn-fe".

HENRY SU
FASTENER PROCESS - TAIWAN

---

I would be virtually certain, but only virtually, that "Zn/Fe" or "Zn-Fe" means plating with a traditional zinc-iron alloy. But one must always be careful that a spec is clear because it is remotely possible that the specifier wanted a layer of iron plating followed by a layer of zinc plating. Remotely.

But I really don't understand your question. The salt spray test is a QA test intended to do exactly what it apparently did: identify a lot of plating that has been plated inadequately. The customer requested 480 hours, the process is capable of delivering that under the right conditions, and this lot failed in less than 20 percent of that time because it wasn't plated right (I mean 'plated' in the broad sense, not to identify the plating tank per se as the culprit, or even restrict the problem to the steps conducted within the plating shop). How does it help your cause to claim that if the parts were plated right they would have withstood 480 hours?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

---

2005

Henry,
Zn/Fe and Zn-Fe is the same i.e. Zinc-iron alloy plating usually non cyanide alkaline plating.
There is internationally accepted standard i.e. GM WORLD WIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS (GMWXXXX)[x denote nos]
For salt spray test there are again two specs such as white rust and red rust.
Alkaline non-cyanide Zinc-iron (Zn/Fe or Zn-Fe) with black passivation and top coat can give more than 1200hrs SST red rust.
But there are lots of technicality involved in answering your question.
Kindly let me know more about your system technically.
I can suggest you the best procedure which will not fail "480 hrs".

T.K. Mohan
plating process supplier - Mumbai, India

---

2005

Dear Sir,

Since I know the Zn/Fe is zinc-alloy plating but what is the actually finishing colour. For example, Zinc Blue or Zinc Black or others?

Thanks for your prompt reply, I am look forward to hear from you soon.

Shue Tan Su Yee
- Selangor, Malaysia

Q. For Zn/Fe plating how much white rust And red rust life expected?
And which Standard should be used for Zn/Fe?

Naushad Inamdar
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
November 2, 2012