FASTENERS 101™
Plating, Painting, Coatings & Finishes
Fastener Finishes
Finishing Protects Fasteners
What are fastener finishes? Coating, Plating and Finishes can add an extra layer of corrosion protection to your fastener assemblies, in addition to making them match your final application and finish. Each finish has it's own unique benefits and drawbacks, which should all be considered before using any fastener in your project. Mutiple finishes and treatments may be needed depending on your application to extend the life of a fastener or its finish. Below is everything you will need to know about all the different available options that we offer at AlbanyCountyFasteners.com, including painting, plating, coatings, and more.
Finishes Make Your Fasteners Look Great
Black Oxide
Black oxide fasteners are stainless steel fasteners that have been chemically treated to alter certain qualities of the material, most notably the color. The treatment adds a mild corrosion and abrasion resistance and reduces the now black oxide stainless steel fasteners reflective properties. To achieve maximum corrosion and abrasion resistance, the black oxide is sealed with oil and the excess is spun off, which complies with military specifications as a Class 4 finish. Black oxide fasteners are commonly used in the following industries: automotive, motorcycle, guns, knives, archery. Black oxide coating can fade over time, so it is not recommended for sustained outdoor use unelss it is also painted and passivated.
Chrome Plating
Chrome plating is the process of adding a thin layer of chromium to an object. There are many benefits to chrome plating such as a shiny decorative look and providing an extra layer of corrosion resistance. Chrome comes in two types: decorative and hard. Decorative chrome has a visually pleasing look and is very durable. Base materials for this type of plating include steel, zinc, copper and aluminum alloys. Due to its high level of corrosion resistance it is often used in cars, kitchen utensils and varying other tools. Hard Chrome, on the other hand, is used to minimize friction, increase abrasion resistance and deter wear of parts. Often used in the automotive industry, it can help prevent part seizing and improve oxidization resistance.
Hot Dip Galvanizing
Hot dip galvanizing is a process that adds a layer of corrosion resistance by dipping fabricated steel into a kettle containing molten zinc. Often called "hot dipped", "HDG" and "galvanized", the hot dip galvanizing process creates a tightly bonded alloy for superior corrosion resistance and harsh environmental applications. HDG products must be used exclusively when applied, meaning that a plain zinc nut or stainless nut cannot be applied to an HDG bolt. HDG nuts are threaded slightly larger than other nuts to make room for the thickness of the galvanized coating. When handling HDG products, it recommended to use gloves and never to touch your eyes, as the coating can be irritating to both skin and eyes.
Zinc Plating
Zinc plated steel is very common in the fastener industry. Zinc adds a layer of corrosion resistance to plain alloy steel. Clear zinc has a light, shiny color and blue zinc has a bright blue hue. Zinc plated steel is not suitable for extreme environment use, as it is not as resistant to corrosion as hot dipped galvanized.
Blue Climaseal®
Blue coating applied to masonry anchors that provides extra corrosion resistance. Uniquely applied in multiple stages through dip-spin technology, this finish is used in our Tapcon Masonry Screws. Resulting in long lasting performance and corrosion resistance, screws in this finish are often used outdoors.
Painting
Painted fasteners are commonly used in applications where visual appeal is a priority, such as roofing, siding, and decorative installations. Typically, only the heads of these fasteners are painted, allowing them to blend seamlessly with surrounding surfaces or to match specific color schemes for aesthetic purposes.
Fastener Finishes, Coatings and Plating Chart
While Albany County Fasteners does not currently carry all these varieties, we want to make sure you are able to make an informed decision on what to choose. Please visit our Shop By Material to shop all materials or contact sales if you need custom coatings or a custom quote.
| Protective Layer | How Resistant to Corrosion | Base Material |
| Aluminum (Hot-Dip) | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Steel |
| Anodizing | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
Aluminum |
| Black Oxide | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Requires Rust Inhibitor |
Steel |
| Bluing | Interior: Semi Resistant Exterior: Semi Resistant |
Steel |
| Brass (Electroplating) | Interior: Semi Resistant Exterior: Semi Resistant |
Steel |
| Bronze (Electroplating) | Interior: Semi Resistant Exterior: Semi Resistant |
Steel |
| Cadmium (Electroplating) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
Steel |
| Chromate (Clear) | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Zinc and Cadmium Fasteners |
| Chromate (Color) | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Zinc and Cadmium Fasteners |
| Chromium (Electroplating) | Interior: Fairly Resistant Exterior: Fairly Resistant |
Various Metals |
| Copper (Electroplating) | Interior: Semi Resistant Exterior: Semi Resistant |
Various Metals |
| Dichromate | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Zinc and Cadmium Fasteners |
| Lacquering | Interior: Vary Exterior: Vary |
All Metals |
| Lead-Tin | Interior: Semi Resistant Exterior: Semi Resistant |
Steel |
| Nickel (Bright) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Fairly Resistant |
Various Metals |
| Nickel (Dull) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Fairly Resistant |
Various Metals |
| Passivating | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
Stainless Steel |
| Phosphate (Color Coating) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
Steel |
| Phosphate (Zinc or Manganese) | Interior: Fairly Resistant Exterior: Fairly Resistant |
Steel |
| Rust Inhibitors | Interior: Vary Exterior: Vary |
Steel |
| Silver (Electroplating) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
All Metals |
| Tin (Electroplating) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
All Metals |
| Tin (Hot Dip) | Interior: Extremely Resistant Exterior: Extremely Resistant |
All Metals |
| Zinc (Electroplating) | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Steel |
| Zinc (Hot Dip Galvanizing) | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Steel |
| Zinc (Mechanically Deposited) | Interior: Very Resistant Exterior: Very Resistant |
Steel |
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