CHEMISTRIES THAT IMPROVE PERFORMANCE & QUALITY

Aluminum Anodizing

The anodization of aluminum substrates provides products and parts not only a unique, high-performance finish, but it also gives the material extreme durability and corrosion protection from a process that results in a cost-effective, wear-resistant and non-hazardous surface for numerous application markets.

The process of anodizing parts and surfaces involves material undergoing an electrolytic passivation to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of the part. The result is also a better adhesion for paint primers than if it were applied to bare metal.

According to the Aluminum Anodizers Council, sulfuric acid is the preferred method among finishers. It involves applying a 0.1-1.0 mil thick coating — usually an organic dye or colored with deposited metals in a two-step process — on a substrate using a 15 percent solution, 12asf, at 18-24 volts at 70°F for 10-60 minutes.

Aluminum alloys have an overall matrix composed of aluminum, which is alloyed with various other metals. One universal benefit of aluminum or its alloys is a naturally forming aluminum oxide layer, which occurs when the alloy is exposed to any oxygen in the environment. Some metals will be distributed throughout the aluminum matrix more evenly — such as zinc and chromium —while others will aggregate into clusters together, called intermetallic particles (IMPs).

Aluminum is particularly useful in the manufacturing of aerospace components. One type of aluminum alloy is specified as AA 2024, and is particularly useful for structural components on aircraft wings and fuselage structures due to the high strength of the alloy coupled with good fatigue resistance. When 2024 is exposed to a corroding environment — such as saltwater or acidic clouds — the IMPs act as active sites which use electrons to assist with the oxygen reduction reaction. These electrons catalyze the aluminum oxidation by pulling free electrons away from the adjacent aluminum matrix. This leads to aluminum oxidation to free aluminum ions which leave the bulk metal causing pits. When a conversion coating is applied to the aluminum alloy surface, it completely covers both the aluminum matrix and any surface IMPs, providing barrier protection against the penetration of solution, hopefully to prevent any corrosion and any oxygen reduction at the IMP sites.

Luckily, CHEMEON Surface Technology offers several products for anodizing, including CHEMEON AA-230, a liquid chemical additive for sulfuric acid anodizing baths. AA- 230 reduces process time, energy consumption, and refrigeration requirements. This additive is ideal for two-step coloring process and meets the requirements of MIL-A-8625F, ASTM B 117 and ASTM B 680-80, as well as ROHS, REACH, WEEE and ELV specifications.

CHEMEON eTCP® suite of chemistries: A patented robust colorized TCP is QPL listed and meet MIL-DTL 81706, MIL-DTL-5541 and can be used A variation of our CHEMEON TCP-HF with a visible color, and enhanced corrosion resistance and performance. Provides corrosion protection, coating durability, paint and adhesive bonding.

CHEMEON eTCP RTU: QPL listed and meet MIL-DTL 81706, MIL-DTL-5541 and can be used for TT-C-490 Type VI. eTCP RTU (Ready To Use) trivalent chromium chemical conversion coating (chemfilm) for aluminum alloys, magnesium, and zinc alloys, as well as a sealer for anodized aluminum. It produces a superior protective coating on light metals, such as 2024 aluminum, which minimizes corrosion as well as improves adhesive bonding capabilities of the surface and provides a visual color indicator that parts are coated and protected.

CHEMEON eTCP Touch-Up Pen: CHEMEON eTCP chemistry optimized for touch-up and field repair use. Packaged in a 1.5 oz/60mL pen applicator

CHEMEON TCP-HF®: Trivalent based product that provides corrosion protection, coating durability, paint and adhesive bonding, and, at a cost comparable to hexavalent chromates. The product was developed for use on aluminum but has been tested and proven effective on a variety of metals including zinc nickel, zinc alloy, and cadmium plating. This product is designed for chemical conversion and anodizing seal applications.

CHEMEON TCP-HF EPA: “Extended protection additive” used in conjunction with CHEMEON TCP-HF in chemical conversion applications, providing a more robust solution, and increasing salt spray resistance for difficult alloys such as 2024.

CHEMEON TCP-HF SP: Optimized version of CHEMEON TCP-HF specifically for spray applications as a corrosion inhibitor in pre- paint, powder- coat and CARC applications. Much like CHEMEON TCP-HF it can be used on a variety of metals. This product is designed for chemical conversion, spray applications.

CHEMEON TCP-HF Spray Bottle: CHEMEON TCP-HF chemistry optimized for small touch-up spray use. Packaged in a 16 oz spray bottle.

CHEMEON TCP-HF Touch-Up Pen: CHEMEON TCP-HF chemistry optimized for touch-up and field repair use. Packaged in a 1.5 oz/60mL pen applicator.

CHEMEON TCP-HF RTU: A “Ready To Use” trivalent chromium chemical conversion coating for aluminum alloys, magnesium, and zinc alloys, as well as a sealer for anodized aluminum. It produces a protective coating on metal, which minimizes corrosion as well as improves adhesive bonding capabilities of the surface.

Cleaners

Before the process of anodizing can take place, a thorough cleaning of the parts must take place to remove all buffing compounds, oils, greases and others soils from the surface. CHEMEON provides a full range of alkaline and acid cleaners that are extremely effective against, and also offers a completely non-etching cleaner specifically designed for bright work. Here are some of the products CHEMEON offers:

CHEMEON Cleaner 1000: A non-etch low alkalinity (pH 9) powdered cleaner for aluminum. This heavy duty non-silicated cleaner tolerates heavy loading and is excellent for removal of buffing compounds and oils.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1000 SCE: Etch cleaner for aluminum with controlled foam. Effective against tough soils, oils, grease and shop compounds. Effective at low temperatures.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1000 SP: Non-silicated mild alkaline spray cleaner for aluminum, specifically for spray applications. Effective against tough soils with extremely low foaming at temperatures of 100°F.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1100: A non-etch low foaming alkaline cleaner. Product is in liquid form for ease of use. This non-silicated cleaner is effective against buffing compounds, oils, greases, and other soils.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1200: A non-silicated, non-etching, non-phosphated low foaming liquid alkaline cleaner capable of removing large amounts of buffing compound. It is specifically designed as a pretreatment for bright work such as lighting reflectors. Not designed to emulsify oils.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1300: A phosphoric acid cleaner concentrate with solvating and detergent action. Useful for conversion coating pretreatment. Operated at room temperature to 150°F.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1400(A): A solvent and detergent package that is added to the customer’s phosphoric acid to produce a high- performance acid cleaner. Operated at room temperature to 180°F.

CHEMEON Cleaner 1500: A completely non-etching citric acid cleaner useful for removal of buffing compounds, grease, oils, and other soils. A defoamer is added so that air agitation may be used.

CHEMEON Cleaner 4000: A non-etch, mildly acidic liquid soak and ultrasonic cleaner for aluminum alloys, which contains a unique blend of biodegradable surfactants and a mild inhibited acid. May be used as a single step cleaner/acid activator pretreatment for the application of CHEMEON TCP-HF conversion coatings. It is suitable as a combination cleaner/deoxidizer for aluminum anodizing and will not etch polished aluminum when used as recommended.

CHEMEON Cleaner 4100: A non-etch acidic soak, ultrasonic, spray, and wipe cleaner that may be used for the removal of a variety of soils and oxides from aluminum, stainless steel, Monel, and other high nickel alloys. Effective at removing forming lubricants, machining oils, light rust, scale, and lime scale. Cleaner 4100 is a very effective single step cleaner/acid activator pretreatment for the application of CHEMEON TCP-HF conversion coatings. Also suitable as a combination cleaner/deoxidizer for aluminum anodizing and will not etch polished aluminum when used as recommended. Operated at room temperature to 170oF.

CHEMEON Cleaner 4100 Pen: A non-etch acidic cleaner used for preparing surfaces for conversion coat touch-up applications. Conveniently packaged in a pen for field use.

Deoxidizers

Deoxidizing removes aluminum oxide from the aluminum substrate via oxidation-reduction reactions. Here are some of the products CHEMEON offers:

CHEMEON Deox 3000: An iron, acid, fluoride-based deoxidizer designed to effectively deoxidize all wrought alloys especially those with high copper or zinc concentrations.

CHEMEON Deox 3100: An iron based deox that is similar to CHEMEON Deoxidizer 3000, useful for all wrought and most cast alloys though not as effective as CHEMEON Deox 3000 on 2000 and 7000 series. Economical and long lasting. Operated at room temperature.

CHEMEON Deox 3200(A): A non-iron, peroxide based, liquid oxidizer to which the customer adds acid to produce an effective deoxidizer for all wrought alloys and some castings. Operated at room temperature.

CHEMEON Deox 3300(A): A non-iron, granular oxidizer that is added to sulfuric acid and/or nitric acid to produce an effective deoxidizer for all wrought alloys and some castings. Operated at room temperature.

CHEMEON Deox 3400: A liquid acid mixture that is used in combination with CHEMEON Deox 3500(A) or CHEMEON Deox 3600(A) to produce a deoxidizer for high silicon castings such as 380, 383, 384, and 390. Operated at 100% in combination with Deox 3500A or 3600A.

CHEMEON Deox 3500(A): Oxidizer in solid form that is used in conjunction with CHEMEON Deox 3400 to produce a deoxidizer for high silicon castings. The combination of fast and slow acting chemicals in CHEMEON Deox 3500 contribute to the long-term stability and ease of maintenance of the bath. Operated at 2-8 oz/gal in Deox 3400 at 70°F to 90°F.

CHEMEON Deox 3600(A): Oxidizer in solid form that is used in conjunction with CHEMEON Deox 3400 to produce an excellent deoxidizer for high silicon castings. Operated at 2-8 oz/gal in Deox 3400 at 70°F to 90°F.

Etches

Etching that takes place in the pretreatment process of anodizing to help remove grease, oil, dirt, and other contaminants and provide a clean surface to use for the formation of aluminum oxide in the anodizing tank. Here are some of the products CHEMEON offers:

CHEMEON Etch 2000: A high quality blended alkaline etch with grain refiners that quickly produces a matte finish, resulting in less aluminum removed than with other conventional etches. Water conditioning agents are added to this powder product to prevent scale formation in the tank. Chelators in this etch allow aluminum concentrations above 100 g/L.

CHEMEON Etch 2100: An economical blended alkaline etch. Grain refiners and chelators provide a high level of performance at a reasonable cost.

CHEMEON Etch 2200(A): An economical liquid etch additive with grain refiners and chelators intended to be combined with the customer’s sodium hydroxide to produce a good general purpose alkaline etch. Operated at 0.5 to1 gallon/100lbs of dry caustic.

CHEMEON Etch 2300(A): Etch additive with grain refiners and chelators intended to be combined with the customer’s sodium hydroxide to produce a good general purpose alkaline etch. Operated at 0.5 to 2 gallons per 100 lbs of dry.

CHEMEON Etch 2400(A): A liquid etch additive with grain refiners and chelators intended to be combined with the customer’s sodium hydroxide to produce an alkaline etch that quickly yields a matte finish. Useful for high volume processing situations such as coil anodizing where throughput rates require a fast acting etch. Operated at 1-2 gallons per 100lbs of dry caustic.

CHEMEON Etch 2500(A): A liquid etch additive with grain refiners and chelators intended to be combined with the customer’s sodium hydroxide to produce a good general purpose alkaline etch. Operated at 0.5-1 gallon per 100lbs of dry caustic.

CHEMEON Etch 2600: A liquid acidic etchant that produces a “whiter” etch than conventional etches. Produces a high quality etch which will hide die lines and other marks. Produces finish not possible with alkaline etch. Etch times dramatically reduced. Produces less fumes and has much less metal removal than caustic etches

CHEMEON Etch 2600 R: Replenishment chemical for CHEMEON Etch 2600. Two (2) gallons of CHEMEON Etch 2600 R is added to every 1,000 gallons of CHEMEON Etch 2600.

CHEMEON Etch 2700(A): Caustic etch that gives a fast matte appearance. Low caustic usage, concentrated liquid, totally soluble, easy to use.

Seals

Sealing is one of the most important steps in the anodizing process, and is used to improve bonding of adhesives or organic coatings. Here are some of the products CHEMEON offers:

CHEMEON Seal 6000: Additive for hot deionized water seal. Wetting agents and dispersants prevent smut and accelerate seal. Parts sealed in CHEMEON Seal 6000 may be painted, bonded, or welded with excellent results.

CHEMEON Seal 6100: Low foaming liquid mid-temperature (160°F to 190°F) nickel seal. Dispersant system aids in smut prevention. Provides superior corrosion resistance and negligible dye leaching.

CHEMEON Seal 6200: Liquid mid-temperature magnesium seal. Provides excellent corrosion resistance with minimal dye leaching.

CHEMEON Seal 6300: Room temperature seal (70°F to 90°F). This liquid seal is pH adjusted for ease of installation and maintenance.

Electrolytic Color

CHEMEON offers a tin-based coloring chemistry providing colors ranging from champagne to jet black with excellent light fastness:

CHEMEON TrueColor 5000: Tin based electrolytic color product that produces superior lightfast colors from champagne to black on anodized aluminum. Use at 9-11% v/v with 0.8-1.1% TrueColor 5001 and 18-20 g/L sulfuric acid at room temperature. Coloring voltage and time are dependent upon the alloy, oxide thickness, and desired color.

CHEMEON TrueColor 5001: Additive to increase throwing power of TrueColor 5000.