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Chromate conversion coating is a type of conversion coating applied to passivate aluminium, zinc, cadmium, copper, silver, magnesium, tin and their alloys to slow corrosion. The process uses various toxic chromium compounds which may include hexavalent chromium. The industry is developing less toxic alternatives in order to comply with substance restriction legislation such as RoHS. One alternative is trivalent chromate conversion which is not as effective but less environmentally damaging.
Chromating is commonly used on zinc-plated parts to protect the zinc from white corrosion, which is primarily a cosmetic issue. It cannot be applied directly to steel or iron, and does not enhance zinc's anodic protection of the underlying steel from brown corrosion.1 It is also commonly used on aluminium alloy parts in the aircraft industry where it is often called chemical film. It has additional value as a primer for subsequent organic coatings, as untreated metal, especially aluminium, is difficult to paint or glue. Chromated parts retain their electrical conductivity to varying degrees, depending on coating thickness. The process may be used to add color for decorative or identification purposes.
Chromate coatings are soft and gelatinous when first applied but harden and become hydrophobic as they age. Curing can be accelerated by heating up to 70°C, but higher temperatures will gradually damage the coating over time.1 Some chromate conversion processes use brief degassing treatments at temperatures of up to 200°C.1 Coating thickness vary from a few nanometers to a few micrometers thick.1
The protective effect of chromate coatings on zinc is indicated by color, progressing from clear/blue to yellow, gold, olive drab and black.2 Darker coatings generally provide more corrosion resistance. Chromate conversion coatings are common on everyday items such as hardware and tools and usually have a distinctive yellow color.
Phosphate coatings on iron and steel may also be treated with a chromic acid rinse to enhance the phosphate coating.1
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Standard specifications
MIL-C-5541 specifies chromate conversion of aluminium alloy parts.
ASTM B633 Type II and III specify zinc plating plus chromate conversion on iron and steel parts.
Composition
The composition of chromate conversion solutions varies widely depending on the material to be coated and the desired effect. Most solution compositions are proprietary.
The widely used Cronak process for zinc and cadmium consists of 5-10 seconds of immersion at room temperature in a solution of 182 g/l sodium dichromate crystals (Na2Cr2O72H2O) and 6 ml/l concentrated sulfuric acid.1
Iridite 14-2, a chromate conversion coating for aluminium, contains chromium(IV) oxide barium nitrate and sodium silico fluoride.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Edwards, Joseph (1997). Coating and Surface Treatment Systems for Metals, Finishing Publications Ltd. and ASM International. pp. pp. 66-71. ISBN 0-904477-16-9.
- ^ *Degarmo, E. Paul; Black, J T.; Kohser, Ronald A. (2003), Materials and Processes in Manufacturing (9th ed.), Wiley, p. 792, ISBN 0-471-65653-4.
External links
- Overview of different chromating processes
- yellow and green chromating chemistry on aluminum
- MIL-DTL-5541F, Chromate conversion coating specification for aluminum.
- MIL-C-17711B, Chromate conversion coating specification for zinc and zinc alloy casting and hot dipped galvanized parts
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 29 August 2008, at 00:56.
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