Zinc Flake Fasteners | Corrosion Protection & OEM Use

Zinc flake coated fasteners

Zinc flake coated fasteners are widely recognised as one of the most effective solutions for protecting steel components against corrosion in demanding environments. Engineered with a thin, high-performance coating of zinc and aluminum flakes suspended in a specialised binder, these fasteners offer exceptional durability, long service life, and reliable corrosion resistance without the risk of hydrogen embrittlement associated with traditional electroplating processes. Commonly used in automotive, construction, renewable energy, and industrial applications, zinc flake coated fasteners provide superior protection while maintaining precise thread tolerances and mechanical performance. Whether for harsh outdoor conditions or critical engineering assemblies, they deliver a cost-effective and dependable fastening solution.

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Benefits

Why zinc flake fasteners are used

Excellent corrosion protection due to the coating application

No hydrogen embrittlement
risk

Controlled, consistent friction coefficient

Widely accepted in automotive & specified by various OEMs

Fabory range

Our range of zinc flake fasteners

In accordance to ISO 10683, zinc flake coatings is a broad concept with different levels of corrosion protection, variations in friction windows and colours available.

Fabory’s commitment to quality has lead to extensive market research to further understand industry requirements and customer needs. From this, the zinc flake fasteners in our range are to the following specification:

Salt spray testing (NSS)

720 hours for M10 & larger, 480 hours for M8 & smaller

Friction coefficient

0.15 ± 0.03

Fastener colour

Matte silver / grey

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Industries we support

Zinc flake fasteners support a range of OEMs, maintenance and repair companies in a range of industry segments

Transport

Defence

Agriculture Machine Building

Knowledge hub

Looking for more details about zinc flake fasteners?

Discover why OEMs in the truck, trailer, and coach industry are increasingly specifying zinc flake coatings in their vehicle builds. In our latest technical article, you'll learn how zinc flake coatings compare with other zinc surface treatments, explore their key performance benefits, and discover the applications and environments where zinc flake-coated fasteners are the preferred choice.

Discover why leading trailer manufacturer Knapen use zinc flake fasteners as standard

Zinc flake fasteners at trailer builder Knapen

Read the full case study

Understanding the various zinc surface treatments and what to consider to choose the correct coating

Surface coatings for steel fasteners explored

Explore zinc based surface coatings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a zinc flake coating?
- A zinc flake coating is a non-electrolytic protective coating consisting primarily of zinc and aluminium flakes suspended in an inorganic or organic binder. It is applied to metal components such as fasteners and cured in an oven to create a highly corrosion-resistant protective layer.
How does zinc flake coatings prevent corrosion?
- Zinc flake coatings protect steel through two mechanisms:
  barrier protection: Overlapping zinc and aluminium flakes form a dense barrier against moisture and oxygen.
  Sacrificial protection: Zinc corrodes preferentially to the underlying steel, protecting exposed areas and minor coating damage. This is similar to the protection provided by hot dip galvanising.
What corrosion resistance can zinc flake coatings achieve?
- Performance varies by coating system and specification usually providing between 480-1,000+ hours of neutral salt spray resistance. The zinc flake fasteners we supply provide 720 hours of neutral salt spray resistance .
Does zinc flake coating cause hydrogen embrittlement?
- One of the main advantages of zinc flake coatings is that they are considered hydrogen embrittlement-free because they are applied through a non-electrolytic process.

Technical support

CAD models at your fingertips

Fabory's 3D portal allows you to browse and configure CD models for our fasteners. Supporting engineers at the earliest designs stage to ensure the right product choice, correct assembly and reliable performance in the final build. With over 75,000 articles available in the Fabory library and supporting over 100 2D and 3D formats, the portal will help support your design efforts.

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High-performance zinc flake fasteners for demanding corrosion-resistant applications