Zinc Plating and Food Contact
Can you recommend an alternative finish that will withstand the caustic cleaners and be allowed for food contact?
Q: One of our customers specifies zinc plating on parts that come in contact with food. This is not a problem except that alkaline cleaners are used for cleaning of the parts. The result is that the zinc plate does not last very long. Can you recommend an alternative finish that will withstand the caustic cleaners and be allowed for food contact? S.R.
A: Tin has been used for many years as a coating for kitchen tools and equipment. A plated deposit of 0.002–0.003 inch should work nicely. Hot dipped tin is also a good choice. What surprises me is your customer did not specify tin when the parts were first brought to you for finishing.
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