Fastener Guide / Engineering & Failure Analysis

Plating / Coating Failure in Fasteners

Coatings fail by not protecting (thin or wrong finish), by changing friction and therefore preload, or by causing hydrogen embrittlement during plating.

Last reviewed 2026-09-10 · Governing standard: ASTM B633; ASTM F1941/F1941M-16(2025); ISO 4042:2022; ASTM F3393-24 · reference FG-A1A068 · Report an error on this sheet

Coating-related failures

FailureCausePrevention
Early rustToo thin for the environmentSpecify thickness / service condition
Wrong preloadFriction differs from the torque chartControlled-friction finish, adjusted torque
Delayed fractureHydrogen from electroplatingBake, or zinc-flake / mechanical zinc
Thread interferenceCoating too thickOversize tapping, thread allowance

Governing standards: ASTM B633; ASTM F1941/F1941M-16(2025); ISO 4042:2022; ASTM F3393-24. Editions shown are the latest confirmed as of September 2026. The drawing and the governing standard always take precedence over this sheet.

These tables carry the same figures as the printed sheet below.

The printed sheet

Plating / Coating Failure in Fasteners

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Text version of this sheet

Plating and coating failure in fasteners

What it is

FAILURE MODE

Coatings fail by not protecting (thin or wrong finish), by changing friction and therefore preload, or by

causing hydrogen embrittlement during plating.

Coatings can cause failures too

Coating-related failures

Failure

Cause

Prevention

Early rust

Too thin for the environment

Specify thickness / service condition

Wrong preload

Friction differs from the torque chart

Controlled-friction finish, adjusted torque

Delayed fracture

Hydrogen from electroplating

Bake, or zinc-flake / mechanical zinc

Thread interference

Coating too thick

Oversize tapping, thread allowance

Governing standards: ASTM B633; ASTM F1941/F1941M-16(2025); ISO 4042:2022; ASTM F3393-24. Editions shown are the latest confirmed as of September 2026. The drawing

and the governing standard always take precedence over this sheet.

torquing any fastener. Verify the current governing standard, project documents, OEM requirements, size, thread, coating and lot certification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Fastener App disclaims liability

arising from reliance on this reference.

Fastener Guide reference FG-A1A068 · thefastenerapp.com/fastener-guide/failure-analysis/plating-coating-failure-in-fasteners · © The Fastener App. Reference only — verify the current governing standard, drawing and manufacturer data before specifying or installing.

Related sheets

← Heat Treatment and Hardness ProblemsHow to Preserve Evidence After a Fastener Failure →

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