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Zinc-Nickel Plating

AMS 2417 · ASTM B841

Zinc-nickel is zinc alloyed with nickel for corrosion performance well beyond plain zinc — and it is the leading drop-in cadmium replacement for steel hardware. Gleco plates zinc-nickel to AMS 2417 and ASTM B841, rack and barrel, at our AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified, ITAR Registered, DFARS-compliant Texas plants — the same floor that still runs cadmium, so you can qualify a transition with one supplier.

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Rowlett, TX — Dallas–Fort Worth
McAllen, TX — Rio Grande Valley
Rack & Barrel

📍 Available at: Rowlett, TX (Dallas–Fort Worth) & McAllen, TX (Rio Grande Valley)

The numbers

Zinc-nickel specifications

What we run, to what standard, and what it delivers.

Governing specs	AMS 2417 (aerospace); ASTM B841 (commercial/automotive)
Deposit / alloy	Zinc-nickel alloy; high-performance baths typically 12–16% nickel
Thickness grades (B841)	Grade 5 (5 µm), Grade 8 (8 µm), Grade 10 (10 µm) minimum
Conversion types (B841)	A colorless; B yellow iridescent; C bronze; D black; E with organic topcoat
Salt spray (ASTM B117)	Commonly 500–1,000+ hours to red rust (grade/type/topcoat dependent)
Embrittlement relief	Bake per spec (typically 375°F min, 3 h min, within 4 h of plating) for HRC 36 and above
Typical uses	Aerospace & defense (cadmium replacement), automotive under-hood, heavy truck, high-corrosion fasteners

Moving off cadmium? Compare the two directly in our zinc-nickel vs. cadmium guide, or see our cadmium plating page.

Zinc-nickel plated cylinder liners with an iridescent passivate — Zinc-nickel plated cylinder liners, iridescent passivate. This is the finish specified when zinc alone will not make the salt-spray requirement.

Why specify it

Where zinc-nickel earns its cost

Cadmium replacementThe leading drop-in alternative on aerospace and defense programs moving off cadmium, without the REACH and RoHS exposure.
Corrosion lifeChromated zinc-nickel routinely clears 500+ hours to white corrosion — several times what plain zinc delivers on the same part.
Galvanic compatibilityClose to aluminum in the galvanic series, so it protects steel fasteners and fittings in aluminum assemblies instead of driving corrosion.
Heat resistanceHolds corrosion performance after thermal exposure that degrades plain zinc, which matters under the hood and near engines.

Questions we get

Zinc-nickel FAQ

What salt spray life does zinc-nickel achieve?

Chromated zinc-nickel commonly delivers 500 or more hours to white corrosion and up to about 1,000 hours to red rust in ASTM B117 salt spray — several times what plain zinc achieves at comparable thickness. Exact hours depend on grade, conversion type, and any topcoat.

Is zinc-nickel a cadmium replacement?

Yes. Alkaline zinc-nickel is the leading drop-in cadmium alternative on aerospace and defense hardware — its galvanic behavior against aluminum is closer to cadmium than plain zinc, and it is accepted across most cad-replacement initiatives per AMS 2417 or the program spec.

Do you offer low-hydrogen-embrittlement zinc-nickel?

Yes. Alkaline zinc-nickel is favored for low-hydrogen-embrittlement applications, and post-plate relief baking is performed per spec for high-strength steel, documented in the traveler.

What grades and chromate colors are available?

Per ASTM B841, thickness grades 5, 8, and 10, with conversion types A (colorless), B (yellow iridescent), C (bronze), D (black), and E (with an organic topcoat).

Can you certify to both AMS 2417 and ASTM B841?

Yes. We plate zinc-nickel to either specification as your drawing requires, including type and class callouts, with certs referencing the exact revision your PO invokes.

Get a Zinc-Nickel Quote

Send your drawing, spec (AMS 2417 or ASTM B841), grade, and type. Request a quote →

Zinc-nickel vs. cadmium

Side-by-side on corrosion life, galvanic behavior, embrittlement and regulatory exposure.

Read the comparison →

Zinc plating

Alkaline and chloride zinc, rack and barrel, with the full chromate range.

See zinc plating →

Design guide

Tolerances, threads, embrittlement bakes and how to spec a finish the first time.

Open the guide →

Ready when you are

Send the print. We’ll quote the zinc-nickel.

Quotes typically back within one business day, from either plant.

Request a Quote 972-475-4300

Zinc-Nickel Plating

Zinc-nickel specifications

Where zinc-nickel earns its cost

Zinc-nickel FAQ

Compare and combine

Zinc-nickel vs. cadmium

Zinc plating

Design guide

Send the print. We’ll quote the zinc-nickel.

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