Anodizing
Non-PFOS, Permanent Mist Suppressants for Hard Chromium Plating, Decorative Chromium Plating and Chromic Etch Applications
Mist suppressants are an important tool for reducing exposure of workers to Cr(VI) during plating and etching operations. A common raw material used for efficient mist suppressants was, and still is, PFOS. PFOS is subject to legislation across the world prohibiting its use for many applications. In this paper we will present developments and experiences with non-PFOS, permanent and non-permanent mist suppressants.
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Aluminum Anodizing
Types of anodizing, processes, equipment selection and tank construction.
Read MoreSalts Build-up Around The Top of The Cathodes
The aluminum cathode bars in our Type II anodizing tank have become completely encrusted with white “salts” at the solution/air interface.
Read More“Cracking” of the Anodic Coating Under High Temperatures
After anodizing, the parts are annealed at 100°C. Most of the time they will withstand this process without damage, but sometimes the anodic coating cracks. I would like to ensure that they never crack at 100°C.
Read MoreAnodized and Dyed Black Extrusions Turning Green and Purple
We notice that the black extrusions have a greenish cast to them when we receive them from the anodizer. When the parts are exposed to plant lighting and to indirect sunlight, they turn a purplish color after six months or less.
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Finisher's Think Tank: Rinsing: An Important Part of the Cycle
The following points may apply to specific metal finishing operations, such as: plating, painting and powder coating, anodizing, colorizing, oxidizing and other specialties.
Read MoreProducing a Thick Anodic Coating on 6061-T6
Our customer has requested .004-inch (100µ, 4 mil) coating thickness on 6061-T6. We normally anodize this part to .002-inch thickness. Our process is 28 V, bath temperature 32°F, for 1 hr. We are not sure of exactly what the best procedure is to hardcoat anodize to this coating thickness.
Read More"Snowflake" Corrosion on Anodized Aluminum Parts
One of our customers sends their extrusions to an outside anodizer near their plant. They sent us some samples of their anodized parts that were exhibiting a condition that looked like small snowflakes all over the part.
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Electroless Nickel Solution Adds Chemical Marker
The day may have arrived when finishers can now grab a small electronic device and test to see if the rejects coming back to them were actually finished in their shop, and not, say, in the customer’s second-source finisher.
Read MoreAt Cause and Effect
In essence, we are “at cause” when we are doing everything we can to control our own destiny. Looking ahead, driving change, implementing business improvements, planning strategically, anticipating potential future business problems and then heading them off before they occur are all typical behaviors of an individual in an “at cause” mode.
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