Zinc electroplating on high strength low alloy steel component

摘要

Zinc electroplating onto a high strength, especially low alloy steel component involves subjecting the component to chemically neutral degreasing, inorganic acid pickling, immediate heat treatment at 80-120 deg C and then electrodeposition of the zinc layer in a hydrogen inactive manner. The heat treatment is carried out to effect sufficient removal of hydrogen, which has diffused into the component during pickling. Preferably, hydrogen inactivation during zinc plating is effected by electroplating the heat treated component with a thin (/-3 microns) nickel layer or by addition of an organic hydrogen getter substance (preferably one or more unsaturated aliphatic compounds) to the acidic zinc plating electrolyte.