Zinc on the Move: Advancements in Coatings and Castings Keep the Metal Competitive

For over a decade, industry prognosticators have been predicting that the use of plastics by automakers would soon surpass the deployment of metals in automobiles, While there is no denying that plastics have made inroads, it recently has become apparent that metal will retain its position as the prime car material for the foreseeable future.

One reason for the revised forecast is the development of improved zinc coatings for the automotive industry. Such material as electrogalvanized and Galfan™ are shaping up as steel's saviors when it comes to ensuring that metal will continue to play the major role on car assembly lines.

Meanwhile on the other side of the equation, developments in zinc die casting technology have taken the edge off plastics' forward thrust into both functional and decorative car part applications. Computer Aided Die Design, Direct Injection zinc die casting, the emergence of the ZA^® alloys all have contributed to zinc regaining its niche as a crucial car building material.