When your components are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, salt spray, or electrochemical stress, choosing the right metal finish can be the difference between failure and long-term functionality. That’s why manufacturers across the aerospace, automotive, defense, and heavy equipment industries rely on The Lindgren Group for precision zinc nickel plating services.
We specialize in high-performance zinc nickel finishing that meets or exceeds OEM and military specifications. Designed for extreme corrosion resistance, galvanic compatibility, and wear protection, zinc nickel is the modern alternative to traditional cadmium and zinc coatings.
What Is Zinc Nickel Plating?
Zinc nickel plating is an electroplated alloy coating typically composed of 12–15% nickel and the remainder zinc. The addition of nickel significantly enhances the corrosion resistance compared to standard zinc plating, making it ideal for parts exposed to:
Road salt or de-icing agents
Marine and offshore environments
Aerospace and defense applications
Under-the-hood or drivetrain automotive systems
The coating can be applied in acid or alkaline baths, and is often finished with passivation and topcoat layers for enhanced performance and appearance.
Why Zinc Nickel Plating?
Zinc nickel offers a range of performance advantages over other traditional plating methods:
Corrosion Resistance
Zinc nickel provides 10X the corrosion resistance of pure zinc plating. It’s designed to protect steel substrates for 1,000+ hours in salt spray environments per ASTM B117.
REACH and RoHS Compliant
Zinc nickel plating is environmentally friendly and meets global regulatory standards, making it a safer alternative to cadmium.
High-Temperature Durability
Ideal for components exposed to thermal cycling, engine compartments, and aerospace systems operating under fluctuating temperature extremes.
Exceptional Adhesion
The coating bonds tightly to the substrate, ensuring resistance to flaking or peeling—even under vibration or wear.
Uniform Coating
Zinc nickel allows for precise control of thickness across complex geometries, threads, and small or delicate components.
Galvanic Compatibility
Zinc nickel reduces the risk of galvanic corrosion when plated parts are mated with aluminum or magnesium components.
Our Zinc Nickel Capabilities
At The Lindgren Group, we’ve engineered our zinc nickel process to meet the most demanding specifications in commercial and defense manufacturing:
Nickel Content Control: 12–15%
Finish Types: Bright or matte
Coating Thickness: Typically 0.0002″ to 0.0006″
Post Treatments: Trivalent passivation, topcoats, torque-modified sealers
Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief: Baking available per AMS 2759
Specifications Supported:
AMS 2417
ASTM B841
ISO 19598
MIL-STD finishes upon request
We also offer custom masking, rack and barrel plating, and batch process control to support parts ranging from high-volume fasteners to complex aerospace components.
Ideal Applications for Zinc Nickel Plating
Zinc nickel is trusted by leading manufacturers for parts that demand long-term protection, tight tolerances, and a uniform, durable finish. Typical applications include:
Aerospace
Fuel system components
Fasteners, bolts, and washers
Avionics housings and brackets
Landing gear assemblies
Connector plating
Defense
Military-grade hardware and equipment
Munitions and weapon systems
Vehicle armor and support structures
Electrical and electronic connector plating
Tactical gear components
Automotive
Brake calipers and rotors
Chassis components and frames
Drivetrain and underbody hardware
Fuel and hydraulic line fittings
Heat shields
Industrial & Energy
Oil & gas field components
Agricultural and construction machinery
Robotics hardware
Heavy-duty clamps, latches, and supports
Electrical enclosures
Industries We Serve
Zinc nickel is the coating of choice in industries where reliability under corrosive, mechanical, and environmental stress is critical.
Aerospace & Aviation
Defense & Military
Automotive & Heavy Truck
Industrial Manufacturing
Oil & Gas
Renewable Energy
Medical Devices (non-implant)
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Whether you’re manufacturing a commercial fleet vehicle or a fighter jet, our finishes are engineered to perform under pressure.
Zinc Nickel vs Other Plating Options
| Plating Type | Corrosion Resistance | REACH/RoHS Compliant | Wear Resistance | Galvanic Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Nickel | Excellent | Yes | Excellent | Excellent |
| Zinc | Moderate | Yes | Moderate | Poor |
| Cadmium (obsolete) | High | No | Good | Excellent |
| Nickel | Good | Yes | Excellent | Limited |
| Tin | Fair | Yes | Low | Limited |
Zinc nickel is increasingly used to replace cadmium plating, offering comparable performance without the environmental or worker safety risks.
Quality You Can Trust
At The Lindgren Group, every zinc nickel project undergoes rigorous quality control:
XRF measurement of thickness and nickel content
Adhesion and corrosion resistance testing
Lot traceability and certifications
RoHS/REACH compliance documentation
Visual and functional inspection
Bake-out cycles to relieve hydrogen embrittlement
We are ISO 9001 certified and committed to continuous improvement, giving our clients confidence in every part we plate.
Why Choose The Lindgren Group for Zinc Nickel Plating?
Proven Expertise
Decades of experience delivering coatings for clients in aerospace, defense, and high-volume industrial sectors.
Custom Engineering Support
Our team collaborates with your design, manufacturing, and quality teams to develop the right plating process for your application.
Scalable Operations
We support everything from prototype orders to high-volume production with fast lead times and consistent quality.
Regulatory Confidence
We help you navigate complex specifications, meet compliance benchmarks, and simplify your supplier approval process.
Get a Quote for Zinc Nickel Plating Services
Whether you’re designing a new product or improving the performance of an existing one, The Lindgren Group is your trusted partner in advanced surface finishing.
Contact us today to speak with a plating engineer, request technical specifications, or receive a custom quote for your application.