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

Zinc plating Si content

If in the steel, as a component we can find / see 0.40313 % Si - is it really significant ? can it create problems with zinc layer adhesion ?. ( of course if plating process is perfect ) can this level of Si be a problem ? If yes - what kind of mechanism cause it ?

Jacek Goska
- POLAND
2006

---

Hello Jacek. Please tell us your own situation rather than posing a hypothetical that can probably never be answered exhaustively. Thanks.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

Steels that contain more that 0.05% Si are more difficult to galvanize and immersion time has to be controlled to avoid excessive zinc thickness. Removal speed must be low to allow drainage.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2006

---

Dear ,
I know this problem very well because I tried it to solve at one of my customer, and I had success. You shall prepare a bath that contains 7% acid salt. Before plating bath you shall immerse the parts into this acid salt for 1-4 min, than rinse and plate with zinc. you will see everything is wonderful. This acid salt must be include sodium fluoride, sodium bisulphate to take Si. You can find these in one product from electroplating chemicals suppliers.
Best Regards,

Pinar Yilmaz
Dede Kimya - Turkey
2006