Houston Plating & Coatings Adds Low-Weight Phosphate Line

Houston Plating & Coatings (HP&C, South Houston, Texas) has added low-weight phosphate to its list of plating and coating services.  Its new coating line provides low weight (150-500-mg/ft²) micro-crystalline zinc phosphate, says the company. The line’s low-weight phosphate tank is 30" wide x 142" long x 42" deep, with a lifting crane capacity of 4,000 pounds.

The phosphating process is a chemical reaction that occurs on an iron base substrate when the part is immersed in the phosphate solution. The primary benefits from phosphate coating are strong adhesion and corrosion protection. There are very few environmental issues related to the use of phosphate coatings.

“Phosphate conversion coatings are used on ferrous parts for corrosion resistance, lubrication, or as a foundation for subsequent rust preventatives, coatings or painting,” explains Eric Turner, HP&C’s COO and director of quality assurance. “Applied by immersion, the phosphate solution reacts with the surface of the part to form a thin gray layer of micro-crystalline zinc that is aesthetically pleasing and typically does not affect dimensional tolerances.”