What is the difference between mechanically applied and electro deposited zinc plating?
The prevention of hydrogen embrittlement in plated parts is an important consideration. High carbon spring steel of the type used for the manufacture of spring pins is very susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement when subjected to a normal electroplating process. The risk of hydrogen embrittlement is greatly reduced and very low using the mechanical process. The most significant difference between the platings is in the methodology used to apply the zinc. Basic electroplating involves putting parts in a plating bath and activating an electric current which deposits the coating onto the parts. The mechanical process involves a powdered coating media which is peened onto the parts in a tumbling operation. The essential advantage of the mechanical process is that it does not contribute to the possibility of hydrogen embrittlement. Electroplating requires additional processing in an attempt to relieve hydrogen embrittlement; electroplated parts must be monitored and baked at highly prescribe
