One-Step Metal Surface Preparation, Pretreatment

Metal surface preparations and pretreatments are important considerations for any finishing operation, and these processes often consist of a number of steps and chemistries to prepare the metal surface for powder coating, e-coating, painting, welding and so on. International Chemical Products, a Huntsville, Alabama-based designer of pretreatment solutions, aims to reduce the amount of time, labor and money finishers spend on metal surface prep and pretreatment by delivering a one-step solution, Picklex 20 One Step Metal Prep.

The product is designed to be a one-step, water-based option for manufacturers that is environmentally safe and non-hazardous. According to the company, the product is capable of removing mill oil, cutting fluid and surface rust; providing a nano-thickness conversion coating; sealing the coating and stopping the oxidation process — all at the same time. The result is a rust- and contaminant-free surface with zero oxidation.

According to Ranjit Sen, president of International Chemical Products, Picklex 20 solves most quality problems regarding rusting, as well as welding and adhesion failure. The product reportedly provides eight to 10 years of rust protection for indoor applications at any humidity. Each gallon covers roughly 1,600 sq. ft. of metal surfaces, and Sen claims that the unit cost to end users is only a few cents per square foot of coverage.

The advantages of using the product over conventional pretreatments are numerous; the product can be applied to any ferrous or non-ferrous metal surfaces, including under high temperatures in epoxy coating and ceramic coating operations. Additionally, it eliminates the need for blasting and rinsing in most applications, does not etch the metal surface while removing rust and scales and does not fall under any EPA, OSHA or DOT regulations.

Picklex 20 comprises non-hazardous chemistry; the product is designed to replace acids, phosphates, chromate conversion coatings and wash primers that use chromate. In applications that require rinsing, the rinse water is said to be non-hazardous, and Sen says there is no waste disposal needed when using the product.

The product delivers on the manufacturer’s mission to eliminate hazardous and toxic chemicals present in metal surface preparation and pretreatment, while still providing equal or improved results. As Sen explains, “Picklex 20 can solve all the headaches from the metal surface preparation and, at the same time, save a lot of labor, time and cost.”

UPDATE: According to the company, a recent test report concluded that liquid paint on hot rolled steel passed 1,000 hours in a salt spray test (ASTM B117) without removing the mill scale by using Picklex 20 One Step. 

Hot rolled steel with mill scale has been powder coated without removing the mill scale with great success. See Testimonial and Adhesion Test. No top coating can be performed successfully without removing the mill scale, since it is an oxidation process. Picklex 20 completely converts 100% mill scale to a rust/contamination-free weldable and paintable conversion coating, Sen says.

See testing and evaluation by Toxic Use Reduction Institute. 

International Chemical Products Inc. | (256) 650-0088 | picklex20.com