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Glossary
Zinc Olive Drab
Zinc Olive Drab is a corrosion-resistant finish where metallic zinc is first deposited on the fastener’s surface through electroplating. This is followed by an olive drab chromate treatment, traditionally hexavalent, that enhances corrosion protection and provides a darker, low-glare appearance. While originally developed for military use, it is also used in other applications that require both protection and a subdued finish. Due to environmental regulations like the European Union’s RoHS directive, which restricts hexavalent chromium, trivalent alternatives are now more commonly used in RoHS-compliant applications.
Appearance - Fasteners with a Zinc Olive Drab finish typically appear dull green to olive in color, often with an iridescent sheen that may reflect shades of purple, pink, or bronze depending on the lighting. This finish is darker and more muted than Zinc Yellow, but the iridescent effect can be visually similar