These Technical Delivery Conditions (TDC) provide you with all the necessary information you need for smooth cooperation with us. Here, you will find everything about the requirements for the base material, delivery conditions, and our high standards for coating to ensure the best possible results in surface finishing.
For further questions, our qualified staff is always available to assist you.
Click here to download the Technical Terms of Delivery.
Technical Delivery Conditions (TLC)
1. Condition of the Base Material
The delivered raw parts must be in a condition that allows electroplating without additional special measures.
1.1 Cleanliness and Residues
The raw parts must be free of the following substances and contaminants:
Note: If parts are delivered in a condition that is not suitable for electroplating and additional pre-treatment is therefore necessary, this will be carried out at cost and invoiced separately.
1.2 Basic Material Defects and Corrosion
Defects in the base material (e.g., pores, cracks, cavities, duplicates) and corroded base material can lead to visible surface defects, adhesion problems, or uneven layer patterns.
No warranty can be given for any resulting defects in the coating result.
1.3 Hardened and Tempered Components
For hardened and/or tempered parts, the following must be specified in the inquiry/order:
This information is necessary because it influences the process (including pre-treatment and, if necessary, measures against hydrogen embrittlement).
1.4 Material/Material Suitability
Electrolytic galvanizing is generally intended for steel components.
If other materials are delivered, unexpected reactions or results may occur. In such cases, we reserve the right to pass on additional expenses and costs.
2. Delivery and Packaging of the Goods
In order to ensure a smooth coating process and the safety of our employees, delivered parts must meet the following requirements.
2.1 Labeling and Accompanying Information
Each delivery must be clearly labeled with at least the following information:
Deliveries that are not clearly labeled may result in delays or additional work, which may be charged separately.
2.2 Packaging Condition and Transportability
The parts must be delivered in packaging that is secure for transport:
The maximum weight of small containers should not exceed 15 kg, unless otherwise agreed.
2.3 Purity of Type and Separation of Goods
To avoid mixing or incorrect coating, the following applies:
Additional costs incurred due to sorting work may be charged separately.
2.4 Type of Packaging
Where possible:
Unsuitable packaging may lead to surface damage, for which no liability is accepted.
2.5 Special Requirements
Special requirements regarding packaging, handling, or labeling must be agreed in writing before the order is placed.
3. Coating Specifications and Special Services
The coating of components is always carried out in accordance with the information provided in your order, our quotation, and the agreed technical standards and specifications.
If no specific requirements are specified, the DIN or technical standards customary in the industry shall apply.
3.1 Special Requirements
Special services or requirements must be clearly specified and indicated in the inquiry or order. These include in particular:
These services are not part of the standard process and are calculated and charged separately.
3.2 Subsequent Changes
If requirements are only communicated after the offer has been submitted or production has begun, the following may occur:
3.3 Functional Surfaces and Coating Areas
Unless functional surfaces, fitting dimensions, threads, or defined coating areas are expressly marked, coating is carried out in accordance with standard electroplating practices.
No liability can be accepted for any resulting functional limitations.
4. Layer Thicknesses and Process Technical Limits
The layer thicknesses are applied in accordance with the specifications in the order, drawing, offer, or agreed standard.
If no specific specifications are available, the coating is applied within the layer thickness range customary in the industry.
4.1 Layer Thicknesses Without Specific Specifications
If only a minimum layer thickness is specified, the maximum layer thickness is usually 25 µm.
If no layer thicknesses are specified, we usually coat in the range of approx. 6–25 µm, depending on the process, component geometry, and application requirements.
4.2 Component Geometry and Physical Limits
Due to the electroplating processes, the layer distribution may vary depending on the component geometry. This is particularly the case with:
This can result in:
This does not constitute a defect unless separate agreements have been made.
4.3 Threads, Fit Dimensions, and Functional Surfaces
For components with threads, fit dimensions, or functionally relevant surfaces, the subsequent coating thickness must be taken into account during component design and manufacturing.
Rework due to coating thicknesses that were not taken into account is the responsibility of the customer.
4.4 Measuring Points and Coating Thickness Testing
The coating thickness is measured during series production:
Any deviating measuring methods or additional testing requirements must be agreed in advance.
4.5 Forming After Coating
If components are formed after coating, this can:
To minimize this risk, we recommend lower layer thicknesses (e.g., approx. 6 µm) or prior technical consultation in such cases.
5. Visual Appearance of Coatings
Electroplated coatings are predominantly technical functional layers for corrosion protection.
The visual appearance is fundamentally process-related and can vary depending on the component geometry, base material, and coating process.
Minor visual deviations such as:
are process-related and do not constitute a technical defect, provided that the functional requirements are met.
Components with special visual requirements (visible parts, decorative applications, etc.) must be expressly identified as such at the time of inquiry.
5.1 Black Passivated Zinc Coatings – Special Properties
Black passivated zinc surfaces offer high-quality corrosion protection with a decorative dark appearance.
However, due to the characteristics of the coating, these surfaces are more mechanically sensitive than standard passivation coatings.
Even minor mechanical stress, e.g.:
can cause visible scratches, shiny spots, or abrasion.
These phenomena are usually not coating defects, but are caused by mechanical factors.
5.2 Delivery of Black Passivated Components
To minimize damage, we recommend:
5.3 Packaging After Coating
Packaging is always carried out in accordance with the containers delivered or in accordance with industry standards.
Due to transport conditions, it is not possible to guarantee that black passivated surfaces will be completely free of scratches.
If there are increased visual requirements, special packaging or handling specifications must be agreed in writing before the order is placed.
5.4 Limitation of Complaints
Slight mechanical surface changes to black passivated coatings caused by transport, bulk movement, packaging, or further processing do not constitute grounds for complaint, unless a separate agreement has been made.
6. Use of Sealants
Sealants are used in certain coating systems to improve corrosion resistance or achieve additional functional properties.
Due to the electroplating process, visible effects may occur, for example:
These effects are technically unavoidable and cannot be completely prevented.
They do not constitute a defect in the coating, provided that the agreed functional properties are fulfilled.
Special optical requirements must be expressly agreed upon before the order is placed.
Besondere optische Anforderungen müssen vor Auftragserteilung ausdrücklich vereinbart werden.
7. Special Tests and Additional Test Requirements
Tests that go beyond the usual process monitoring during series production are considered special tests and are not part of the standard service.
Special tests must be expressly specified in the inquiry or order and agreed in writing.
7.1 Examples of Special Tests
These include, but are not limited to:
These services are calculated and invoiced separately.
7.2 Test Rquipment
If special test equipment is required (e.g., thread gauges, special devices), this must be provided and managed by the client, unless otherwise agreed.
No liability is assumed for testing equipment provided during normal use.
7.3 Responsibility for Functional Tests
Functional or stress tests (e.g., tension tests, component tests, assembly tests) are generally the responsibility of the client.
Our approval of the coating does not replace component or system approval by the customer.
7.4 Documentation Requirement
Extended documentation, test certificates, or individual test reports must be agreed upon before the order is placed.
Unless otherwise agreed, test reports or factory certificates will not be automatically generated.
8. Packaging After Coating
Coated components are always packaged in accordance with the containers in which they were delivered or in accordance with industry standards, unless otherwise agreed.
Due to the nature of the process, it is not possible to guarantee that there will be no traces of transport or handling, particularly in the case of bulk goods or sensitive surfaces.
Packaging is carried out at our discretion, taking economic and technical aspects into account.
8.1 Special Packaging
Special requirements for packaging, preservation, or transport (e.g., individual packaging, special interlayers, defined quantities per container, corrosion protection packaging, etc.) must:
Any additional costs incurred as a result will be charged separately.
8.2 Quantity Packaging
In the case of agreed packaging with exact quantities, minor deviations are possible due to production and packaging.
A deviation of up to approx. ±2.5% is considered normal for the industry and does not constitute a defect.
8.3 Impact of Packaging on the Surface
The type of packaging is selected taking technical and economic aspects into account.
Despite careful packaging, slight friction, pressure, or transport damage cannot be completely ruled out, especially in the case of sensitive surfaces.
If there are increased visual requirements, this must be expressly agreed upon before the order is placed.
9. Corrision Resistance After Coating
The corrosion resistance of electroplated coatings is always the result of the interaction between:
It is therefore not possible to make a general statement about the corrosion resistance of the entire component system.
9.1 Relevant Standards and Requirements
If specific requirements are defined in the order, drawing, or specification (e.g., standards, salt spray tests, OEM specifications), the coating will be applied in accordance with these specifications.
In the absence of specific requirements, industry-standard technical standards shall be deemed to have been agreed.
Test results from standardized corrosion tests refer exclusively to the tested conditions and do not allow any direct conclusions to be drawn about the actual service life of the components.
9.2 Influence of the Base Material
Different material qualities, microstructures, or pretreatments can significantly influence corrosion resistance.
No liability can be accepted for corrosion-related deviations that are attributable to the properties of the base material or its pretreatment.
9.3 Further Processing and Conditions of Use
Subsequent processing steps such as:
can impair the corrosion resistance of the coating.
We do not accept any liability for changes resulting from this.
Operating conditions (e.g., aggressive media, moisture, temperature, friction) can also influence corrosion resistance.
9.4 Corrosion Tests on Series Components
Corrosion tests on series components are not part of the standard service and must be agreed separately.
The type, scope, and documentation of such tests are determined individually.
10. Process Safety and Requalification
Our coating processes are subject to continuous internal monitoring and quality assurance.
This includes regular process controls, bath analyses, and statistical evaluations to ensure stable coating results.
These measures serve to ensure consistent process quality, but do not guarantee identical individual results for every component.
10.1 Regular Inspection of Coating Systems
The coating systems we use are inspected at regular intervals.
This is usually done using test sheets or reference samples under defined conditions.
In doing so, we adhere to current technical norms, industry standards, and, where known, relevant OEM requirements.
10.2 Significance of Qualification Tests
Results from process qualifications, test sheet tests, or reference tests refer to defined test conditions and are not directly transferable to every series component.
Deviations may arise in particular due to:
10.3 Requalification at Customer Request
Additional requalifications, individual approvals, or special test programs are not part of the standard service and must be agreed in advance.
Any testing, documentation, or coordination costs incurred as a result will be charged separately.
11. Narework
Reworking of coated components is usually carried out by removing the coating and then recoating.
If reworking is not possible due to the base material or special requirements, this must be expressly stated in advance by the customer.
12. Hydrogen bulking
Unless expressly agreed, our offers do not include any additional measures to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.
For components with a tensile strength of over 1000 N/mm², hardness procedures and strength values must be specified at the time of inquiry or order, as these can influence the coating process.
Galvanic processes can cause changes in component properties, particularly with regard to mechanical characteristics. This is due to the material and process and must be taken into account in the component design.
The effectiveness of possible measures is usually verified by stress tests on the component, which are to be carried out by the client.
The calculated prices are based on the processing of components on existing universal racks.
If special racks are required due to special component geometries or specific requirements, the costs incurred for this will be shown separately in the quotation process.
A lead time of approximately six weeks is usually required for the production of special racks. In addition, at least two sample parts are required for the production of the racks.
14. Exclusions and Restrictions for Rack Coating
Due to the nature of the process, contact points with reduced corrosion resistance and visual impairments cannot be completely avoided. Permissible contact points must be defined by the customer before production begins.
In the case of components that must be machined closed due to their geometry, existing residues or corrosion products in the interior may not be completely removed.
Welded constructions made of tubes or hollow bodies must be provided with sufficient drain holes.
A process-related production reject rate of up to 1.5% cannot be completely ruled out. The raw parts required for this must be provided free of charge by the customer; further claims cannot be accepted.
15. Exclusions and Restrictions for Drum Coating
Due to the nature of the process, mechanical damage may occur during drum coating.
Components with flat geometry are at risk of sticking or adhering to the drum wall (perforation marks). The extent to which this affects the appearance and/or corrosion resistance must be tested in advance if necessary.
Due to the nature of the process, mixing with foreign parts cannot be completely ruled out.
A production reject rate of up to 1.5% is possible due to the nature of the process. The raw parts required for this must be provided free of charge by the customer; further claims cannot be accepted.
Comte Galvanotechnik GmbH & Co. KG and Comte Metallveredelung GmbH & Co. KG is a downstream user of chemicals within the meaning of the REACH Regulation and is therefore not responsible for their registration or authorization.
Our chemical suppliers have been obliged to comply with the REACH
Comte Galvanotechnik GmbH & Co. KG - Comte Metallveredelung GmbH & Co. KG
Berliner Str. 60, 27232 Sulingen
February 2026
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