Materials & Finishing

Zinc plating vs black oxide: which finish do you need?

Corrosion resistance, appearance and cost compared for the two most common fastener finishes.

Zinc plating vs black oxide: which finish do you need?

Zinc plating

Zinc plating with a passivation layer gives good corrosion protection at low cost and is the most common finish for industrial fasteners. Clear, yellow and black passivates are available.

Black oxide

Black oxide gives a uniform black look with almost no change in dimensions, but on its own offers little corrosion protection. It is normally oiled and suits indoor parts.

Our advice

Choose zinc for parts exposed to moisture, and black oxide where appearance and tight fits matter more. Salt spray test reports are available on request.

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