Zinc flake coating technology has changed considerably as automotive and fastener manufacturers pursue higher corrosion resistance, more consistent quality and increasingly automated production.
Technical standards must evolve with these changes.
On August 21, 2026, industry specialists and participating companies met in Shanghai to review the revised edition of the group standard Specification of Zinc-Aluminum Flake Coatings.
Changzhou Junhe Technology Stock Co., Ltd. participated in the review, continuing its involvement after contributing to the original 2018 edition.
For manufacturers and coating specialists, the revision represents more than an update to a technical document. It reflects how zinc-aluminum flake coating has developed in actual industrial production over the past several years.
Why Zinc Flake Coating Requirements Need to Keep Evolving
Zinc-aluminum flake coatings are widely used to provide corrosion protection for fasteners and other metal components.
In automotive applications, coating performance is only one part of the requirement. Manufacturers must also consider process stability, dimensional requirements, friction characteristics, production efficiency, batch consistency and integration with downstream assembly processes.
Manufacturing conditions have also changed.
Today, customers increasingly expect coating processes to support:
- stable and repeatable coating quality;
- higher levels of automation;
- efficient mass production;
- improved production traceability;
- lower environmental impact;
- better delivery performance;
- controlled manufacturing costs; and
- more resilient supply chains.
As coating technologies and production methods develop, technical standards must remain connected to these real-world requirements.
That is one of the key reasons behind the latest revision of the industry group standard.
From Coating Material to Complete Production Process
Modern zinc flake coating is no longer viewed only as a coating material.
The performance of a finished component is influenced by the complete process, including surface preparation, coating formulation, application parameters, centrifugal control, curing conditions, topcoat selection, inspection and production management.
For fastener manufacturers running large production volumes, the design of the zinc flake coating line itself can also have a major impact on consistency and efficiency.
This is why the industry is increasingly moving toward integrated solutions combining coating chemistry, application processes, specialized equipment and automation.
Junhe’s work covers these interconnected areas, including zinc-aluminum flake coating materials, process development, coating machines and automated production-line applications.
This practical engineering background was one of the perspectives the company brought to the 2026 standard review.
Growing Demand for In-House and Automated Zinc Flake Coating Lines
One important trend in the fastener industry is the increasing interest in building coating capacity in-house.
Traditionally, manufacturers may have outsourced part or all of their surface treatment operations. However, requirements related to lead times, quality control, cost management and supply chain stability are causing more companies to evaluate their own automated coating lines.
For suitable production environments, an integrated zinc flake coating line can give manufacturers greater control over production scheduling and process parameters.
Automation can also support more standardized operation across loading, coating, spinning, transfer, curing and unloading stages.
For automotive fasteners, where repeatability and batch control are especially important, these capabilities are becoming increasingly valuable.
The evolution of manufacturing models also means that coating standards must take into account not only laboratory performance but the realities of industrial-scale production.
Standards and Manufacturing Experience Should Develop Together
A useful technical standard cannot be separated from production practice.
Laboratory data provides an essential technical foundation, while industrial applications reveal how coating systems behave under different component geometries, production volumes, equipment configurations and quality requirements.
Bringing together associations, technical experts, research organizations and manufacturing companies allows these different perspectives to be considered during the standardization process.
The revision of Specification of Zinc-Aluminum Flake Coatings began with industry research in December 2025 and continued through several rounds of drafting, discussion and technical review.
The final review in August 2026 was another step toward aligning the standard with current zinc flake coating technologies and manufacturing needs.
Junhe’s Experience in Zinc-Aluminum Flake Coating
Junhe has worked in the field of industrial surface treatment for many years, developing solutions related to coating materials, processing technology and specialized coating equipment.
The company participated in the original zinc-aluminum flake coating group standard in 2018 and again contributed to the revision process in 2026.
During the latest review, Junhe examined the proposed technical requirements from an industrial application perspective and submitted suggestions based on its R&D and engineering experience.
Continuous participation in standardization also provides an opportunity to better understand how customer requirements and production technologies are changing across the industry.
Moving Toward Smarter Zinc Flake Coating Production
The future development of zinc flake coating will increasingly be connected with green manufacturing, automation and intelligent production.
For coating users, this may mean more precise process control, improved equipment integration, better production data management and more efficient use of materials and energy.
For equipment manufacturers and coating technology providers, it means developing solutions that can meet both corrosion protection requirements and the operational demands of modern factories.
Standards have an important role to play in this transition.
By translating accumulated industrial experience into shared technical requirements, they provide a common reference for coating suppliers, equipment manufacturers, processing companies and end users.
Junhe will continue developing zinc flake coating materials, processes, coating equipment and automated production solutions while participating in technical communication and industry standardization.
As manufacturing technology continues to evolve, the company’s goal is to help turn practical coating experience into reliable solutions for the next generation of industrial corrosion protection.
Post time: Aug-31-2026