Applying Mechanical Plating to Automotive Requirements

Mechanically plated finishes primarily used by the automotive industry have been specified for the following reasons: 1) torque drives relationships, 2) assured product reliability through elimination of hydrogen embrittlement, 3) simplicity of coating application and waste treatment, 4) corrosion protection, and 5) multiple coating applications. Currrent automotive industry trends are towards weight reduction, involving the use of lighter weight metals in fabrication. Fastener components and their protective coatings must also be compatible to the bimetallic surfaces with which they come in contact. Promising new mechanical plating developments are geared toward supplying finishes with characteristics necessary for bimetallic fastening while keeping cost factors in perspective.