Why is 'Zinc Flake Coating' (e.g., Geomet or Magni) often preferred over 'Zinc Electroplating' for high-strength spiral rings?

Zinc flake coatings are non-electrolytic, meaning they are applied by dip-spinning or spraying followed by curing. Unlike electroplating, this process does not involve an acid pickling step or an electrolytic cell, which are the primary sources of hydrogen embrittlement. For high-strength spiral rings (hardness $> 45$ HRC), this eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming de-embrittlement baking. Furthermore, zinc flake coatings provide superior corrosion resistance (often $> 1000$ hours in salt spray) and act as a dry lubricant, which can assist in the assembly process. The coating thickness is also very uniform, which helps maintain the dimensional integrity of the spiral ring's coils.