Surface finishing

Zinc plating

Anti-corrosion protection of steel parts. Our rectifiers deliver steady, reliable output on high-volume lines.

Micronics Systems designs rectifiers suited to this process: controlled voltage, reliable current and sustained performance, even on the most demanding lines.

Anti-corrosionHigh volumeSteel
Pièces métalliques traitées — zingage
Understanding the process

Zinc plating in detail

Zinc plating is an electrolytic deposit of zinc intended to protect steel parts against corrosion. The principle is neat: the zinc acts as a sacrificial coating. Being less noble than steel, it corrodes first and so protects the part, even if the coating is scratched.

The deposit is almost always followed by passivation (commonly called chromating), which greatly improves corrosion resistance and gives the final colour: blue, iridescent yellow, black… Depending on the parts, the treatment is carried out in a barrel (small bulk parts, tumbled in a drum) or on racks (parts hung one by one).

It is a high-volume process par excellence: screws, bolts, automotive parts, hardware. Volumes are huge and consistency of output is paramount.

01

Preparation

Degreasing and pickling of the steel for a perfectly clean surface.

02

Zinc deposit

Under direct current, the zinc deposits evenly over the whole part.

03

Passivation

A finishing layer improves corrosion resistance and fixes the colour.

04

Drying & inspection

Checking thickness and appearance before dispatch.

Unregulated power supply CURRENT DELIVERED CROSS-SECTION OF THE PART
  • Zinc thickness that varies from one part to the next
  • Uneven appearance after passivation, rework and scrap
  • Metal used up with no guarantee of the result
MicronX rectifier CURRENT DELIVERED CROSS-SECTION OF THE PART
  • Same thickness from the first rack to the last
  • Consistent appearance from one barrel to the next
  • Controlled zinc consumption

There is no electrolytic deposit at all without direct current: the comparison is about the quality of that current, between a supply that fluctuates and a regulated rectifier.

What the rectifier brings

Why the rectifier is decisive here

In zinc plating, the challenge is not high current but consistency across large volumes. On a line running continuously, every part must receive the same zinc thickness as the one before: that is the condition for reliable, even corrosion protection.

Micronics rectifiers deliver that constant, repeatable output day after day. This stability ensures consistent quality, a controlled production rate and a minimal scrap rate — essential criteria on high-volume lines.

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