Capability
Zinc-Nickel Plating
Zinc-nickel plating combines zinc with 12 to 15% nickel in a single deposited alloy that protects steel components in environments where pure zinc isn't enough. The result is roughly five times the corrosion resistance of zinc, with measurably better abrasion resistance and excellent covering power into deep recesses, threads, and complex geometry.
It's the standard finish for severe-duty under-vehicle hardware across the major automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway equipment programs, where 1,000+ hours of ASTM B117 salt-spray performance to red rust is the baseline expectation.
Salt-Spray Performance
1,000+ hrs
Nickel Content
12–15%
Typical Thickness
8–15 µm
Processing
Rack & Barrel
Where Zinc-Nickel Fits
Common Applications
Zinc-nickel is the go-to finish when severe-duty corrosion performance, abrasion resistance, and threaded-component reliability all matter on the same part.
- Brake lines and fuel lines — tubular components that need 1,000+ hr corrosion life under-vehicle
- Fasteners — high-strength bolts and nuts (Class 10.9, 12.9) where corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement both need to be controlled
- Brake calipers and knuckles — cast iron components where the acid system performs well
- Chassis hardware — suspension components, subframe fasteners, under-vehicle brackets
- Engine compartment hardware — fasteners and brackets that face heat, chemicals, and corrosion together
Substrate Range
Steel, Cast Iron, and High-Strength Alloys
Zinc-nickel plates cleanly across the range of substrates the automotive and heavy-equipment supply chains run: ordinary carbon steel, high-strength low-alloy steel, Class 10.9 and 12.9 fastener stock, and cast iron components like brake calipers and knuckles.
For high-strength steel components, CMC performs in-house hydrogen embrittlement relief baking within the time windows ASTM F1940 and major OEM specifications require, ensuring critical fasteners and structural parts are protected from delayed brittle failure after plating.
Color & Performance
Passivate and Topcoat Options
After plating, zinc-nickel parts receive a passivate layer that boosts corrosion resistance and gives the part its final color. CMC runs clear, black, and yellow passivate variants — all in trivalent chromium chemistry, fully hexavalent-chromium-free, and meeting RoHS, REACH, and end-of-life vehicle directives.
For the most demanding applications, an additional topcoat/seal can be applied over the passivate, adding a final layer of corrosion protection and friction control. The combination of zinc-nickel plating, trivalent passivate, and topcoat is what carries hardware through the 1,000+ hour salt-spray specifications that modern automotive and commercial vehicle OEMs publish.
Production Capabilities
Purpose-Built for Rack Zinc-Nickel
Across our four facilities and 17 processing lines, zinc-nickel plating is available in both rack and barrel processing methods. Marsh Plating Willow Run — opened in 2016 specifically to expand the group's rack capacity — was purpose-built around rack zinc-nickel and rack electroless nickel for fasteners, brake components, and the structural hardware that modern automotive and heavy-duty programs depend on.
Every line is fully automated, with chemical feed systems on most process tanks running on automated control. The result is consistent finishing across high volumes, with IATF 16949 process control aligned to the automotive supply chain requirements every program lives by.
Who Specifies Zinc-Nickel
Industries We Plate For
Zinc-nickel is the specified finish across most modern severe-duty programs. CMC plates zinc-nickel for customers in:
- Passenger vehicles — under-vehicle hardware across BEV, hybrid, and ICE programs
- Commercial vehicles — chassis fasteners, brake hardware, suspension components
- Agricultural and construction equipment — equipment hardware that lives outside through every season
- Fastener manufacturers — Class 10.9 and 12.9 bolts and high-strength threaded hardware
- Power transmission and grid hardware — outdoor utility hardware exposed to weather and salt
Specifications & Standards
Standards We Can Meet
ASTM B841
Standard specification for electrodeposited coatings of zinc-nickel alloy
ASTM B117
Salt-spray testing, 1,000+ hr to red rust on 12–15% nickel zinc-nickel
ASTM F1940
Hydrogen embrittlement relief baking, performed in-house
GMW3044 / GMW14872
GM zinc-nickel and cyclic-corrosion specifications
Ford WSS-M21P39-A2
Ford zinc-nickel specification for under-vehicle hardware
IATF 16949
Automotive quality management process control across all facilities
RoHS, REACH, ELV
Trivalent chromium passivation, fully hexavalent-chromium-free
Specifying zinc-nickel for a part?
Send us a drawing, an OEM specification, or a part description. We’ll match the right zinc-nickel chemistry (alkaline or acid), the right passivate, and the right processing method to your substrate, your geometry, and the standard your program runs to.