For years, Silesia has set the pace of industrial development in Poland. It is a region where steel structures, machine components and technical infrastructure operate in conditions that demand durable, proven corrosion protection. It is in just such an environment that we are developing Strumet and meeting the needs of production plants and companies for which coating quality has a direct impact on day-to-day operation.

An important stage in the development of Strumet was the launch, in mid-2020, of a new zinc electroplating plant. It was a decision to invest in technology that gives us control over the galvanizing process and makes it possible to achieve stable, repeatable coating parameters. We designed the electroplating shop from the ground up, with automation, parameter control and high capacity in mind, which today translates into the quality of the services we deliver. Operating in the heart of Silesia, we work in an environment where durability and reliability are the everyday standard of work, not additional requirements. We develop our own technologies, invest in modern infrastructure and rely on laboratory facilities that allow us to control the entire process.

What Exactly Is Electroplating and How Does the Process Work?

Electroplating is an electrochemical process in which a thin layer of another metal is deposited on a metal surface from an electrolyte solution. The component to be coated acts as the cathode, and metal ions present in the bath are deposited on its surface when voltage is applied. The result is a cohesive coating that gives the part specific functional properties.

In practice, electroplating is not just a matter of immersing a component in a bath. Every stage and every parameter affects how the deposit behaves. Current density, temperature, bath pH, its chemical composition and the geometry of the part determine whether the coating will be even and stable or whether irregularities and spots prone to wear will appear. This process quickly reveals inaccuracies in surface preparation that remain invisible at earlier stages of production.

Technological Facilities - How Is Our Electroplating Shop in Silesia Equipped?

Our electroplating shop has been designed as a system in which automation and parameter control are the basis of process stability. We work on two production lines that make it possible to handle a wide range of parts.

The rack line allows galvanizing of larger structural components with dimensions of up to 2.8 m in length, 0.8 m in width and 1.8 m in height. This enables uniform coating deposition on components with complex geometry, without local build-up or uncoated areas. The barrel line is intended for small serial parts. Items such as bolts, nuts or technical components are processed in a way that combines high capacity with repeatable coating thickness across the entire batch.

Transport between tanks is automatic, and computer systems monitor bath parameters in real time. Their stability is overseen by chemists working in our own analytical laboratory. It is this element of our technological facilities that allows us to keep the process within constant limits, regardless of production volume.

Coating Stages - From Preparation to Passivation

We begin every electroplating process with surface preparation, because this is the stage at which the quality of the entire coating is decided. This is where we determine whether zinc will deposit evenly and whether the layer will retain lasting adhesion over a long service life. Degreasing removes oils and organic contaminants, pickling eliminates oxides and traces of corrosion, and the subsequent rinses and activation bring the surface to a state in which it can react properly with the electrolyte.

Electroplating does not mask preparation errors; it reveals them very quickly. Even minor residues from machining or local contamination result in reduced adhesion and discontinuities in the deposit. That is why we treat surface preparation as an essential stage of the process that has a direct impact on the durability and uniformity of the zinc coating.

Characteristics of Zinc Coatings - Protection and Decoration in One

The actual zinc plating is carried out in an alkaline electrolyte, under conditions that allow very precise control of process parameters. We adjust the coating thickness in the range of 3 to 25 µm by controlling the deposition time and current density. This approach makes it possible to match the protection to the real operating conditions of the component, without unnecessarily increasing the layer thickness. Zinc coatings produced by electroplating are even and smooth, and at the same time do not significantly affect the dimensions of the part. This is particularly important for threaded and precision components, where maintaining assembly tolerances determines the correct operation of the entire assembly.

Passivation and Coating Stabilization

After zinc plating we move on to the passivation stage, because it determines how the freshly deposited zinc layer will behave in the initial period of service. Zinc remains chemically active right after the process, so passivation allows us to limit the rate of its reaction with moisture and air and to stabilize the surface of the coating.

At Strumet we work with chromium-free passivation, including solutions based on titanium compounds. We obtain a uniform, durable protective layer that increases the coating's resistance to white corrosion and at the same time meets current environmental requirements. Passivation also affects the appearance of the surface. The coating keeps an even color and is less prone to discoloration during storage or transport. In addition, this is how we prepare components for further use, assembly or possible painting, without impairing the adhesion of subsequent layers.

Eko Strumet - Why Is Our Electroplating Shop in Silesia Environmentally Friendly?

At Strumet, for many years we have been developing galvanizing and electroplating technologies so that they are process-stable and as light on the environment as possible. As early as 2008, with the launch of the hot-dip galvanizing plant, we adopted the principle that coating durability and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand. We continue to develop this approach in the electroplating shop as well. We run our processes in installations designed to operate in closed loops. Both the electroplating shop and the hot-dip galvanizing plant are wastewater-free, and process solutions operate in a closed system supported by our own treatment plant. Process tanks are located in sealed chambers, from which vapors are captured and cleaned in absorbers. The whole system operates under constant supervision, and emissions are monitored continuously.

We cover part of the plant's energy demand from a photovoltaic installation, and in the hot-dip galvanizing plant we use heat recovery. In daily operations we apply solutions that reduce the consumption of raw materials and the amount of waste, such as laser cutting, waste segregation and recycling, and reusable consumables. Technology run in this way has allowed us for years to protect steel structures with durable zinc coatings, without simplifying the process and without shifting environmental costs onto the surroundings.

Why the Strumet Electroplating Shop Is a Real Technological Advantage

At Strumet we carry out electroplating and galvanizing based on modern technological facilities, the team's experience and full process control. We work on automated lines, use our own laboratory and take care of parameter stability, which allows us to maintain repeatable quality and short lead times. We analyze each order individually, taking into account the material, the geometry of the component and the conditions of its later service. The electroplating shop in Silesia at Strumet is chosen by companies that expect a concrete technological result and stable coating parameters, not merely a formal protection of the metal.

If you want to discuss the details or get a quote, call +48 539 006 374 or write to [email protected] - we will respond specifically and to the point.