What's the green and pink steel?

January 10, 2011 2:30 PM

What's that dull shimmering green and pink metal they make various brackets and internal electronics chassis out of? Probably it's some kind of treated steel.

I love how that stuff looks! I want to build out of it, only I want it external and visible, not just as internal mounting hardware.

posted by krilli to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

Best answer: this has some information on a similar looking product.
posted by KogeLiz at 2:39 PM on January 10, 2011

Best answer: I think that's called a "yellow zinc" coating.
posted by cosmicbandito at 2:58 PM on January 10, 2011

Best answer: It's either a rainbow zinc or yellow rainbow zinc coating (to prevent galvanic reaction with aluminum cases/parts). I don't know what type of shop would have the equipment to galvanize custom pieces, though -- try sheet metal workshops.
posted by vers at 3:05 PM on January 10, 2011

Best answer: It's either a rainbow zinc or yellow rainbow zinc coating over steel, I should have included.
posted by vers at 3:12 PM on January 10, 2011

Response by poster: My best and sincerest iridescent pink and green thank-yous to all!
posted by krilli at 3:36 PM on January 10, 2011

Best answer: For corrosion protection you coat steel with zinc. However, the zinc itself can tarnish to a white color so you passivate the zinc by finishing with a very thin coating of chromate. The color varies from clear to yellow to gold to olive to black depending on the thickness. The varying thickness is the reason for the iridescent appearance.

The problem is that one of the forms of the coating is hexavalent chromium. Remember the stuff from Erin Brockovich? It is carcinogenic in free form and is gradually being banned, starting in Europe. However, in the U.S. you can still find shops that will do the plating. For example this company specializing in restoring parts for vintage cars.
posted by JackFlash at 3:38 PM on January 10, 2011 [2 favorites]