Not all fasteners consist of a single, solid material. Many of them are plated for better performance. Plated fasteners feature an inner core that’s covered in a separate material. One of the most common plating materials is zinc. Zinc-plated fasteners still feature a core material, such as aluminum or steel, but they are covered in a protective layer of zinc. Here are six reasons to choose zinc-plated fasteners.
#1) Protection From Corrosion
Zinc-plated fasteners are corrosion resistant. Corrosion is the result of oxidation. When certain metals are exposed to oxygen — even airborne moisture molecules — they will undergo a chemical reaction. Known as oxidation, it can cause the metals to corrode and deteriorate. Zinc, however, corrodes roughly 100 times slower than most other metals. It can handle humid and moist environments without corroding.
#2) Heat Resistant
You may want to choose zinc-plated fasteners for applications involving heat. They can withstand hotter temperatures than traditional, unplated fasteners. Zinc has a melting point of around 787 degrees Fahrenheit. When used as a plating material, zinc will make fasteners more heat resistant.
#3) Strong and Durable
Zinc-plated fasteners are strong and durable. Zinc plating doesn’t just make fasteners better protected against corrosion and heat; it enhances their overall strength and durability. Zinc-plated fasteners can handle tough conditions that may otherwise damage plain, unplated fasteners. This is why zinc-plated fasteners are often used in industries like construction, automotive and aerospace.
#4) Polished Appearance
For a polished appearance, you can’t go wrong with zinc-plated fasteners. They feature a clean and shiny surface that many people prefer over plain, unplated fasteners. For applications in which the fasteners will be visible, zinc-plated fasteners can provide a more polished appearance for this reason.
#5) Cost-Effective
Zinc-plated fasteners are cost-effective. They cost less than many other types of fasteners. Zinc is a relatively inexpensive and readily available material. And thanks to modern plating techniques, zinc-plated fasteners are easy to produce. These properties make them inexpensive. If you’re tired of paying a fortune for fasteners, you may want to switch to zinc-plated fasteners.
#6) Versatile
Finally, zinc-plated fasteners are versatile. You can find them with different head styles, such as dome and truss. You can also find zinc-plated fasteners in different lengths and thread sizes. Some zinc-plated fasteners are longer or feature coarser threads than others. Regardless of your fastening needs, there’s probably a zinc-plated fastener to match it.