Coating Copper and Magnesium
Can electrocoat be used to coat copper and magnesium substrates? Do you know of any commercial applications using those metals?
Q. Can electrocoat be used to coat copper and magnesium substrates? Do you know of any commercial applications using those metals? T.M.
A. Yes, electrocoat can coat any conductive substrates. The most important process issue to consider when coating non-ferrous substrates is not the electrocoat process step but the pretreatment necessary ahead of the electrocoat bath. While phosphate pretreatments are typically used for steel and galvanized substrates, other very specialized pretreatments are used for metals such as magnesium, copper, aluminum, etc.
I know from personal experience that electrocoat has been used to coat magnesium vehicle valve covers and front ends. Electrocoat has also been used to coat cCopper heat exchangers and radiators for the commercial refrigeration and sports and recreational vehicles markets.
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