Trenton Electroplating Plating Processes

All of the automatic process lines have been individually designed and built within the company to ensure the quickest turnaround and provide the best conditions for processing to the standards demanded by modern industry.

The company operates high quality computerised production control systems. The excellent quality control techniques are achieved by the employment of qualified chemists.

Zinc Plating

Zinc is specified where a good cost effective corrosion resistant finish is required. It offers sacrificial protection and is effective even if a scratch penetrates the coating. The passivates used are self healing.

It is used in a large number of industries, many specifying The national standard BS1706:1990 or for fasteners BS7371:1993.

The degree of protection offered by zinc depends upon the thickness specified, from 5 microns for a good commercial finish to 25 microns where a high degree of protection is required. The greater thicknesses are tending to be replaced by alloy plating. There are a number of passivates and seals that can be specified to enhance the corrosion resistance, which can be 240 hours to ‘white’ rust and 500 hours to ‘red’ rust with yellow passivate and seal.

Trenton Electroplating has several dedicated automatic lines with either alkaline or acid solutions depending on the material to be processed. Cyanide is not used in any of the processes. A full range of passivates is also available i.e. Clear, Yellow, Olive, Black and Yellow and Seal (Leach back).

Zinc Iron Plating

Zinc Iron is becoming the preferred finish for many designers and engineers looking for a reliable high corrosion resistant finish on fasteners, pressings and assemblies.

Many automotive companies are specifying it where parts are exposed to harsh conditions e.g. underbody, including BMW, Land Rover, Volvo, Vauxhall etc.

The sacrificial protection afforded by normal zinc plating is enhanced considerably when alloyed with small quantities of iron, typically 0.6% of iron in deposit. This protection is further improved by the use of a non silver based black passivate or a deep bronze passivate and seals.

Neutral salt spray results of 720 hours to ‘red’ rust and 420 hours to 5% ‘white’ rust can be achieved on rack plated components, and approximately half this on barrel plated parts.

Trenton Electroplating has large dedicated lines for both rack and barrel plating with facilities for processing ferrous, non-ferrous and die cast components. A full range of passivates, seals and lubricants are available.

Zinc Nickel Plating

Zinc Nickel is used in a wide variety of applications and has the advantage of having its own inherent corrosion protection independent of chromate passivates. The use of passivates enhances the protection further. It also produces little or no hydrogen embrittlement in use, and when used in assemblies with other metals has a low risk of corrosion by galvanic action.

It is widely specified for under bonnet parts where they may be subject to heat, as the alloy has the advantage of retaining its corrosion resistance after heating to 200°c. Amongst many other users are BMW and VW. It is also used as a suitable replacement for cadmium.

Nickel is alloyed with zinc (11-15% nickel), to dramatically increase the protection afforded by zinc alone. This protection is further enhanced by the addition of black, yellow or clear passivate. 2,000 hours to ‘red’ rust in a neutral salt spray test can be achieved from a rack plating process, and even after heating to 200°c in excess of 1,000 hours has resulted.

Trenton Electroplating has large dedicated automatic lines for both rack and barrel plating on all materials. A full range of passivates, seals and lubricants are available.