Ultimate Corrosion Protection and Paint Adhesion

Metal Finishing Group provides Zinc-Iron Clear Plating services to the SC 4 level of supplementary treatment, offering the highest possible corrosion protection with a clean, transparent finish for steel and iron components. This advanced alloy coating (zinc-iron) is followed by a specialized clear chromate conversion coating, precisely engineered for maximum durability against the harshest environmental elements.

Zinc-Iron Plating to SC 4 is chosen when components face the most extreme corrosive environments and demand ultimate resistance to both white corrosion (alloy oxidation) and red rust (iron oxidation), while also serving as a superior base for paint and maintaining a natural metallic appearance. It is ideal for highly critical automotive parts, marine hardware, and severe industrial applications where uncompromising durability, reliable paint adhesion, and a discreet finish are essential. This robust coating provides superior, long-lasting protection against the most aggressive environmental factors.

Our Zinc-Iron Clear Plating – SC 4 Capabilities: Maximum Protection and Optimized Adhesion

We offer precise Zinc-Iron Clear Plating services to SC 4 specifications, ensuring a uniform and highest-quality deposit for your most critical components.

  • Ultimate Corrosion Protection: Engineered to deliver significantly higher corrosion resistance than all other SC levels (SC 1, SC 2, and SC 3), providing exceptional durability in the most aggressive environments.
  • Superior Paint Adhesion: The unique morphology of the zinc-iron deposit and subsequent chromate provides an exceptional anchor profile for paints, powder coatings, and other organic finishes, ensuring strong and lasting adhesion.
  • Clear Chromate Finish: Applies a transparent chromate conversion coating over the zinc-iron, enhancing corrosion resistance while preserving the alloy’s natural metallic look.
  • Sacrificial Protection: The zinc-iron alloy layer actively corrodes before the base metal, safeguarding steel and iron components from rust even under the most challenging conditions.
  • Good Electrical Conductivity: Maintains favorable electrical properties, suitable for a range of electrical components where robust protection is also needed.
  • Rack and Barrel Plating: We accommodate both rack and barrel plating methods to suit various part sizes and production volumes.
  • Precision Thickness Control: We achieve exacting plating thicknesses to meet specific design and ultimate performance requirements.
  • In-house Quality Verification: We conduct rigorous salt spray testing to confirm full compliance with SC 4 corrosion resistance requirements and adhesion tests to ensure compatibility with topcoats, ensuring peak performance.

Properties of Zinc-Iron Clear Plating – SC 4:

Zinc-Iron Clear Plating to SC 4 imparts several key properties that ensure optimal performance and longevity for components in the most demanding conditions:

  • Exceptional Long-Term Corrosion Protection: Provides a superior barrier against both white corrosion and red rust, designed to withstand prolonged and severe exposure in extreme environments.
  • Excellent Paint Base: Creates an ideal surface for subsequent painting, significantly improving adhesion and preventing chipping or peeling, even in harsh conditions.
  • Cost-Effective High Performance: Delivers a reliable and economical solution for the most stringent corrosion and adhesion requirements.
  • Clean, Transparent Aesthetic: Offers a professional and appealing metallic appearance without adding color, suitable for critical applications where discretion is key.
  • Reliable Electrical Conductivity: Ensures consistent electrical continuity for functional components even under harsh conditions.

Applicable Specifications We Adhere To:

Our Zinc-Iron Clear Plating – SC 4 processes consistently meet or exceed crucial industry standards, ensuring the highest quality and performance of your components. We regularly process to:

  • ASTM B633 (Type V, SC 4): This specification defines electrodeposited coatings of zinc-iron alloy on iron and steel. Type V refers specifically to zinc-iron with a chromate conversion coating. SC 4 designates the highest level of corrosion resistance for this finish, typically requiring specified hours to white corrosion and 240 hours to red rust in a neutral salt spray test.
  • And various customer-specific requirements for the most advanced corrosion protection and paint adhesion.

Typical Zinc-Iron Clear Plating – SC 4 Applications:

Zinc-Iron Clear Plating to SC 4 is vital for numerous applications across demanding industries:

  • Automotive Industry: Used for critical under-hood fasteners, brake system components, and chassis parts that endure extreme road salts and weather conditions, often requiring subsequent painting.
  • Marine Applications: Ideal for fasteners and components constantly exposed to saltwater spray and highly corrosive marine atmospheres.
  • Heavy Industrial Machinery: Protects vital machine components, tools, and brackets in highly corrosive factory or outdoor settings, especially if they will be painted.
  • Outdoor Electronic Enclosures: Provides robust corrosion protection for housings used in exposed, outdoor, or highly challenging electronic applications that may also be painted.
  • Construction: Used for components that require both ultimate corrosion resistance and a durable paint or powder coat in extreme environments.
  • Agricultural Equipment: Ensures performance and longevity for parts used in demanding outdoor farming environments with high moisture or chemical exposure.

Why Choose Metal Finishing Group for Zinc-Iron Clear Plating (Type V) – SC 4?

Metal Finishing Group is a trusted partner for high-quality Zinc-Iron Clear Plating to SC 4 specifications. Our commitment to precise application and rigorous quality control ensures an exceptionally durable, corrosion-resistant, and ideal paint-ready finish for your most critical steel and iron components. Partner with us for reliable metal finishing solutions that provide ultimate protection, maximum adhesion, and peak performance for your parts.