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What are the major plating types available at Vector Magnets?



Plating \ Coating
Descr.
Indoor Use
Abrasion
Humidity
Water
Salty Air / Near Ocean
Salt Water
Glue
Thickness
Price
Nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni)
A very durable multilayer combination of nickel, copper, nickel.
Excellent
Good
Good
Bad
Bad
Bad
Bad
10-20 Microns
Low
Zinc Plating (Zn)
2nd most common plating, Zinc is a standalone plating with only one layer. It is a self- sacrificing coating, meaning when the material corrodes the outside turns white creating a durable layer of protection.
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Good
Bad
Good
8-10 Microns
Low
Gold (Ni-Cu-Au)
Well known for its corrosion resistance. Layered in Nickel, Copper & Gold on top. Works very well in water applications. The gold layer is very thin and adds only a few cents per magnet.
Superior
Good
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Bad
10-20 Microns
High
Black Epoxy (Ni-Cu-Be)
Epoxy plating is multilayered in Nickel, Copper, Epoxy. Great for outdoor applications. However, it is not very abrasion resistant and prone to scratching.
Superior
Bad
Superior
Superior
Excellent
Excellent
Good
15-25 Microns
Medium
Raw Epoxy (BE)
This coating does not have underlying coats of Nickel or Copper
Superior
Good
Superior
Superior
Excellent
Excellent
Superior
10 - 20 Microns
 
Plastic
Plastic is the most corrosion resistant. However its is thicker than other platings. A mold is required to create the plastic shell.
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Excellent
250-500 Microns
Medium
Teflon
Very efficient coating widely used in various industries. Waterproof seal to protect the magnet inside.
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Superior
Bad
250 - 500 Microns
High
Phosphate
Phosphate is a temporary coating that will last only a few months. It is normally used when the magnet is going to be over-molded or encased in a plastic part that will act as the final protective layer. 
Good
Bad
Bad
Bad
Bad
Bad
Bad
1-2 Microns
Low