Electroplate or Primer Paints 2

[StewardMM]

I wanted to have a galvanized finished in our mounting plates to be used for certain structures. Due to some time constraints, we are considering to just have it electroplated, but there is a suggestion that instead of electroplating, why not just use primer paints.

May i ask your opinion about it? thanks.

 

[CoryPad]

Without more detailed information about the part size, quantity, expected lifetime, environment, etc. there really is nothing we could say.

 

[StewardMM]

it will be for Mounting Plates, 40cm x 40cm....

 

[hokie66]

As CoryPad said, it depends on a lot more than just plate sizes. Galvanizing, electroplating, and primer have vastly different uses. How much protection do you need? In what type environment will this thing be located? Is it equipment, building structure, bridge....?

 

[StewardMM]

It will be used for outdoor substation. Mounting Plate for their electrical equipment.

 

[hokie66]

In which case, hot dipped galvanizing is the solution. It provides superior corrosion protection in normal atmospheric conditions. Neither electroplating or primer will do that. A multicoat high performance coating system might work, but impact resistance might be an issue. I would have thought the client would have specifications requiring galvanizing or some equivalent.

 

[StewardMM]

the standards used for these structures are hot dipped galvanizing, but it is not locally available in our place. if we will have it galvanized, it will take some time. is there some other coating material you can recommend?

 

[hokie66]

I could recommend coating systems, or you could seek advice from a coatings manufacturer or applicator. However, if galvanizing is not available, I doubt that anything else I would recommend would be available either.

 

[TomDOT]

Hot dip galvanizing would definitely be the best choice. Likely somewhere around 100 micron thickness.

Second place would be thermal spray (metallizing) with the clear sealer.

Third place would be a true high-ratio inorganic zinc (IOZ) coating, often sold as a primer. Unlike most primers, it does just fine with no topcoat.

Electroplating just sucks for outdoor exposure if you want durability. The electroplater will try to give you 5-10 microns of zinc thickness, and it is a lot more porous than hot-dip.