What are the major plating types available at Vector Magnets?
- Share
- Issue Time
- Aug 11,2016
Plating \ Coating | Descr. | Indoor Use | Abrasion | Humidity | Water | Salty Air / Near Ocean | Salt Water | Glue | Thickness | Price |
Nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni) | A very durable multilayer combination of nickel, copper, nickel. | Excellent | Good | Good | Bad | Bad | Bad | Bad | 10-20 Microns | Low |
Zinc Plating (Zn) | 2nd most common plating, Zinc is a standalone plating with only one layer. It is a self- sacrificing coating, meaning when the material corrodes the outside turns white creating a durable layer of protection. | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Bad | Good | 8-10 Microns | Low |
Gold (Ni-Cu-Au) | Well known for its corrosion resistance. Layered in Nickel, Copper & Gold on top. Works very well in water applications. The gold layer is very thin and adds only a few cents per magnet. | Superior | Good | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Bad | 10-20 Microns | High |
Black Epoxy (Ni-Cu-Be) | Epoxy plating is multilayered in Nickel, Copper, Epoxy. Great for outdoor applications. However, it is not very abrasion resistant and prone to scratching. | Superior | Bad | Superior | Superior | Excellent | Excellent | Good | 15-25 Microns | Medium |
Raw Epoxy (BE) | This coating does not have underlying coats of Nickel or Copper | Superior | Good | Superior | Superior | Excellent | Excellent | Superior | 10 - 20 Microns | |
Plastic | Plastic is the most corrosion resistant. However its is thicker than other platings. A mold is required to create the plastic shell. | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Excellent | 250-500 Microns | Medium |
Teflon | Very efficient coating widely used in various industries. Waterproof seal to protect the magnet inside. | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior | Bad | 250 - 500 Microns | High |
Phosphate | Phosphate is a temporary coating that will last only a few months. It is normally used when the magnet is going to be over-molded or encased in a plastic part that will act as the final protective layer. | Good | Bad | Bad | Bad | Bad | Bad | Bad | 1-2 Microns | Low |