What is the most common type of fastener plating?

Zinc plating is the most common type of fastener plating due to its ability to provide a good balance between corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness. Zinc serves as a sacrificial coating, meaning it will corrode before the underlying metal parts, such as steel, thus prolonging their longevity. This property makes zinc plating especially beneficial in environments where exposure to moisture or other corrosive elements is likely.

Additionally, the process of zinc plating is relatively straightforward and can be applied to a variety of fasteners, making it a popular choice across many industries. The shiny, bright finish that zinc plating provides is also aesthetically pleasing, which can be an advantage in applications where the appearance of the fastener is important.

Other plating options, while useful in certain applications, do not match the widespread applicability and cost-effectiveness of zinc. For example, chrome plating, while providing an attractive finish and good corrosion resistance, is generally more expensive and is not used as frequently in industrial applications. Nickel and copper plating may offer specific advantages, such as electrical conductivity (in the case of copper) or better wear resistance (for nickel), but they are also less common overall compared to zinc.