NUCOR Fastener

mechanical galvanizing
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

General
Mechanical Galvanizing is similar to
Hot-Dip Galvanizing in that they both
apply a thick coating of zinc metal
which provides sacrificial or cathodic
protection to the steel. Because zinc
is more reactive than iron, the zinc
galvanized coating corrodes first,
protecting the steel substrate.
Mechanical Galvanizing results in
a very uniform coating thickness
reducing thread fit issues at assembly, making it a preferable coating for structural applications. Not only
does Mechanical Galvanizing provide excellent coating uniformity, but the process is consistent from batch
to batch and within each batch. Consistent fastener tensioning is aided by the addition of a blue colored
lubricant that is applied to all of our Mechanical Galvanized Nuts.

The Mechanical Galvanizing Process

Mechanical Galvanizing is a room temperature process in which zinc coatings are applied to fasteners
without electricity (which is used for electroplating) and without heat (which is used for Hot-Dip Galvanizing).
Fasteners are placed in a large rotary barrel along with zinc powder, special promoters, and glass impact
media. The mechanical energy generated from the barrels rotation is transmitted through the glass impact
media and causes the zinc powder to be mechanically welded to the surface of the fasteners. With a
proper glass media size mix, all exposed surfaces can be coated very uniformly, and the buoyancy of the
glass media cushions the fasteners in the rotating barrel to minimize thread nicking. The room temperature
process ensures no chance of re-tempering or softening high strength fasteners and guards against
hydrogen embrittlement because the fasteners are also never exposed to acid pickling in the process.

Application
Mechanical Galvanizing may be specified on a wide range of structural products including ASTM A325
Structural Bolts, A563 Grade DH Heavy Hex Nuts, A307 Bolts & Studs, A449 Hex Cap Screws, F1852
Tension Control Assemblies and F436 Hardened-Steel Washers to name a few. The requirements for
Mechanical Galvanizing are covered in ASTM B695, Coatings of Zinc Mechanically Deposited on Iron
and Steel and are applied to a Class 55 thickness (.0022), to provide you with the corrosion protection
and value you expect from Nucor products.

TDS-002A 2-15-08
 Special Requirements
Mechanical Galvanizing may be applied to any A563 (AASHTO M291) Grade Nut, which are tapped
oversize before galvanizing because of the ability to control the coating thickness. We have a lubricant
containing a blue colored dye put on the MG coated nuts as a requirement of ASTM/AASHTO specifica-
tions to prevent galling during assembly. The visible dye is a requirement to enable visual confirmation of
the presence of a lubricant. The blue color of Nucor Fasteners Mechanical Galvanized nuts distinguishes
them from our green dye lubricated Hot Dip Galvanized nuts to help prevent mixing. There shall be no
mixed coating types on structural bolt/nut combinations per the specifications.

Testing/Certification Requirements
Our domestic sources for Mechanical Galvanizing are qualified and utilize in-process quality systems
enabling us to maintain full traceability from raw material to each container of product we ship.
Chemical and physical certifications are provided with every shipment. Nucor Fastener is
TS16949 & ISO9001 Registered and our laboratory is A2LA Accredited. ASTM A490, ASTM A490M
and ASTM F2280 Structural Products are not permitted to be Mechanical Galvanized.

ASTM B695 AASHTO M298

COATING MINIMUM THICKNESS MINIMUM SALT SPRAY

CLASS (uM) (IN.) (HRS. TO RED RUST)

110 107 .0043 NOT SPECIFIED

80 81 .0032 NOT SPECIFIED
70 69 .0028 NOT SPECIFIED
65 66 .0026 NOT SPECIFIED
55 53 .0022 NOT SPECIFIED
50 50 .0020 300
40 40 .0016 250
25 25 .0010 192
12 12 .0005 96
8 8 .0003 56
5 5 .0002 36

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This Technical Data Sheet is subject to change without prior notification.

PO Box 6100 | St. Joe, Indiana 46785 | ph: (800) 955-6826 or (260) 337-1726 | fax: (260) 337-1726 | www.nucor-fastener.com