ZINCSECURE®
Expect Excellent Performance With
ZincSecure has been tested and proven to have excellent performance parameters that are critical for mints and central banks:
- Zinc-based coins shows exceptional coinability and die-fill performance compared to other materials in the market
- Our plated ZincSecure coin blanks provide excellent corrosion resistance
- ZincSecure finishes have exhibited comparable or improved wear resistance compared to typically used products
Coinability
Zinc-based coins allow for improved metal flow, providing:
- Detailed and intricate coin imaging
- Ease in striking
Die Fill
ZincSecure provides excellent die-fill performance at lower tonnage. Figure 1 and 2 compare the die fill performance of plated ZincSecure to plated steel coins at equal values of tonnage. ZincSecure is able to provide detailed coin designs with relative ease while this not the case with other materials.
Nickel plated ZincSecure at 55 MTs
Nickel plated Steel at 55 MTs
Figure 2. Die Fill Results
Durability
Durability is an important feature for coins. A higher life expectancy equates to fewer coins being produced which correlates to lower cost for the mint. ZincSecure’s durability was studied primarily based on its corrosion resistance wear performance.
Wear Resistance
Wear testing was conducted to gain understanding of “real world” wear resistance of the coins and demonstrated excellent results for ZincSecure. The wear tests were similar to wear testing practices in the industry1.
Abrasion, impact and corrosion wear were studied using a tumble test. Tumblers with a “bump” in the design were rotated with coins along with other materials like leather, cork and cotton with sweat solution for 1000 hours @~37rpm stopping at 200 hour-increments to weigh the coins. Figure 3 & 4 below show that ZincSecure coins (nickel plated) and nickel plated steel coins in the white finish category have the least weight loss % and ZincSecure – bronze plated and bronze plated steel coins have lowest weight loss % in the yellow finish category.
Figure 3. Tumble Test with Media and Sweat Solution – White–finish Coins
Figure 4. Tumble Test with Media and Sweat Solution – Yellow–finish coins
Additional testing using pin-on-disc test done by National Research Council Canada (NRCC) reiterated the conclusions seen above2.
Corrosion Resistance
Our internal corrosion resistance testing showed that ZincSecure coins showed acceptable results and were equal or better than steel coins. Coin blanks tested in sodium chloride solution and checked for any signs of corrosion.
References
1. McDaniel, Paul and Beets, Randy (2010). Industry Guidelines for Electroplated Coinage. Mint Director’s Conference 2010 – Technical Committee Report. pg. 23
2. Yang, Qi and McKellar, R.C. (2014). Evaluation of Wear Resistance of Coin Blanks Using ASTM Standard Pin-on-Disc Testing Method for ARTAZN™. Ottawa, Canada: National Research Council Canada – Aerospace-SMM Laboratory. pg. 20
