Wet Treatments/Anodizing
Metal Improvement Company (MIC) is able to offer a range of finishing techniques including:
- Chromic Acid Anodizing
- Boric-sulfuric Acid Anodizing
- Phosphoric Acid Anodizing
- Sulfuric Acid Anodizing
- Chemical Conversion Coating
- Passivation
- Controlled blasting
- Adhesive, primer and topcoat application
- Non Destructive Testing and marking
Anodizing is used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of components to (reduce fatigue - remove) increase corrosion and wear resistance, increase durability and hardness and improve paint primers and glue adhesion. Coatings can be porous and so anodizing is sometimes needed to improve corrosion resistance.
The process is common in the aerospace industry as a pretreatment to the application of adhesives or paint primer on aluminium. It can also be used to reduce or eliminate corrosion in crevices or between lap joints.
Boric-sulfuric acid anodizing and sulphuric acid anodizing have been introduced as an alternative to chromic acid anodizing to meet environmental regulations. The process is also more energy efficient.
Anodizing is most suited for high purity alloys and high-density aluminium castings.
Wet treatments can include chemical cleaning and etching, alkaline cleaning, phosphate conversion coatings - manganese, zinc and iron. Dry treatments include vapor and aqueous degreasing, abrasive blasting with aluminum oxide, chilled iron/steel or glass bead.
Post phosphate oil/organic sealing are available and protective treatments along with anodizing – chromic, phosphoric, sulphuric and boric - such as stress and hydrogen embrittlement relief baking.
MIC has appropriate industry and customer approvals where applicable.
