Zink-Nickel FleXXKorr

Task

The handling of pre-bent pipes and similar components is very tricky when it comes to the platingprocess. The objective, therefore, was to find a process that made it possible to bend or form components, such as pipes, even after the plating process had been completed.

Solution with added value

Working closely with our customers and a process supplier, we have developed a bendable, formable zinc-nickel alloy layer – fleXXcor*.  By using a special electrolyte in conjunction with closely defined bath control parameters, in this zinc and nickel process, the crystal structure and particle sizes of the deposit are specifically formed and kept constant. This process produces a ductile zinc-nickel alloy surface with considerable advantages for the components that are to be formed or crimped. The outstanding level of corrosion protection (salt spray-tested, 720 hours without developing red rust) is also fully guaranteed after forming. Furthermore, fleXXcorr complies with all common standards applicable in the automotive industry.

What a lot of people don’t know…

The bendability of the zinc-nickel plating is important enough for many car manufacturers to include it in their standards. Hence, already at the end of 2010, the bendable zinc-nickel plating was included under Ofl-r647 in the revised version of the VW standard TL244 (version 2010-12) as an independent IP for the first time. DBL 8427.10 from Mercedes Benz and the BMW standard GS 90010 ZNNIVSI are also based on bendable Zn/Ni.

Interesting for

• The automotive industry and suppliers (e.g. pipes, fastening technology such as large sleeves, bolts, punched and crimped sheet metal parts)
• The hydraulics industry (e.g. oil and fuel lines)