Zinc Phosphating

Enhance the Surface Qualities of Your Metal Parts

Zinc phosphate coating protects against corrosion, reduces electrical conductivity, promotes adhesion, and improves the appearance of your parts.

What is Zinc Phosphating?

Phosphating transforms the metal surface of a component into a non-metallic, polycrystalline coating that contains iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc phosphates. It has several benefits and is commonly performed on parts that will later undergo painting or other surface treatments for finishing. This coating provides high alkaline resistance and is preferred as a paint base offering superior adhesion and durability.

Benefits of Zinc Phosphating

• Fighting Corrosion
  Rust is the first thing that springs to mind — everybody knows how hard winter road salt is on a car’s body — but that’s not the only challenge metal industrial parts face. Any metal part that’s exposed to corrosive chemicals should have a protective coating.
  
  Phosphating is one of the most popular ways to provide that protection because it’s much safer for the environment than older coatings that relied on lead and other toxic substances.
  
• Reducing Conductivity
  Every metal conducts electricity — which is beneficial for transmission cables and wires within electrical devices. The trouble is that many of these devices use metallic screws, cases and other components.
  
  These metal components need to be non-conductive. Otherwise, they’ll reroute electrical current away from wherever it’s supposed to go and provide an annoying electric shock to anybody who touches the metal. Phosphate coating reduces the conductivity of metal components to prevent this from happening.
  
• Promoting Adhesion
  Think about what happens when you splash water on your bathroom mirror in the morning: the droplets just slide right down the surface of the glass. Many metal surfaces are slippery in the same way, but they need a coat of paint that will stay in place for years of use. Other metal parts need to be lubricated, but the lubricant, being slick, slides right off.
  
  Zinc phosphating adds a slightly rough layer to the exterior of a piece of metal that gives paint, rust-inhibiting oils, and lubricants something to grab onto. It is also commonly done prior to powder coating to yield a consistent application and appearance.
  
• Improving Appearance
  Most bare metals aren’t much to look at (unless you’re really into gray), and their coloration is inconsistent over the entire surface of a part. This process provides a consistent color and tone that makes metal parts more aesthetically appealing.
  
  Lots of today’s high-tech consumer products have metal surfaces held together with machine screws that help create a space-age look and feel. Zinc phosphating is one of the processes which enable that kind of visual appeal.

Paulo’s Approach to Zinc Phosphating

We understand the importance of consistency when it comes to your metal finishing processes. That’s why our zinc phosphating lines are computer-controlled to ensure quality, repeatable processing that meets your specifications.

Our treatment process uses a drum three feet wide and two feet in diameter. It’s best for a large volume of small parts like screws, nuts and bolts that will tumble together while they’re being treated. It’s not ideal for big parts like automotive structural components.

Our automated processes mean we can handle large lot sizes in quick time frames. And because we can process for multiple user needs, we can do things like add post coatings with oils and sealants to boost corrosion fighting or add lubricity.

And of course, all of our phosphating processes comply with industry and quality standards.