Vehicle body component with a tin/zinc coating
AssigneeEmhart Inc.
InventorsWalter Kuehnl, Dieter Mauer, Reinhold Opper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a coated metal fastener that is prepared by electrogalvanically coating a metal fastener with a layer of tin and zinc mixed crystals, wherein the tin is from about 50 to about 90% by weight of the mixed crystals layer. The fastener plated with the tin and zinc alloy layer has a number of unexpected properties, including stability at higher temperatures than expected, which is important for retaining the strength of a vehicle joint secured with the fastener during subsequent finishing operations; retention of electrical conductivity, which makes the fastener suitable for use as a grounding member; and resistance to galvanic corrosion when the fastener joins metals of differing electrode potential.
Claims21
A coated metal fastener prepared by a process comprising steps of:
- (a) providing an aqueous bath comprising an electrolyte electrogalvanically depositing a tin and zinc alloy coating;
- (b) submerging a metal fastener in the aqueous bath;
- and
- (c) applying a potential of electric current between at least one anode and the fastener to deposit a layer of an alloy of tin and zinc to at least a part of at least one function carrier, wherein the tin is from about 50 to about 90% by weight of the alloy.
An automotive vehicle comprising at least one coated metal fastener prepared by a process comprising steps of:
- (a) providing an aqueous bath comprising an electrolyte material for electrogalvanically depositing a tin and zinc alloy coating;
- (b) submerging a metal fastener in the aqueous bath;
- and
- (c) applying a potential of electric current between at least one anode and the fastener to deposit a layer of an alloy of tin and zinc to at least a part of at least one function carrier, wherein the tin is from about 50 to about 90% by weight of the alloy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.