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Title: Hard Anodising
From: Keith H
United Kingdom
Date: 21st April 2010 |
What is Hard Anodising? How does Hard Anodising differ from Anodising? |
Hard anodising gives a harder finish and a better bond with the base aluminium than sulphuric anodising due to the creation of a heavier build up of anodic film. Sulphuric anodising (traditional anodising) is generally used for its corrosion prevention on aluminium and also can be applied in different colours for decorative purposes. Hard anodising is also excellent for corrosion protection but is also more hard wearing so is specified where there is likely to be a higher level of wear on the engineered part. Hard Anodising is often specified in marine and engineering components due to the thicker deposit of aluminium oxide and therefore its better corrosion and wear resistance. If you need any further advice please contact us on 01392 258234 or swmf@eicgroup.co.uk |
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Title: Alochrom
From: tim forbes
United Kingdom
Date: 20th April 2010 |
Do you know what alochrom used for? I have been recommended to use it but not sure exactly what it is |
Alochrom is a supplier trade name for Chromate Conversion on Aluminium. The main coatings available are either 'clear' - which is used where electrical conductivity is vital, however, the durability of the coating is not as good as 'golden' which provides a combination of good corrosion protection and electrical conductivity. Alochrom also provides an excellent foundation for Paint finishes. Due to recent vehicle and Rohs directives and now REACH legislation, hexavalent chrome free processes are now also available. Hope that helps - if you need any more advice please contact us on swmf@eicgroup.co.uk or 01392 258234 |
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Title: marine parts need plating
From: phillip watson
United Kingdom
Date: 9th June 2010 |
I have some parts off my boat that I would like to get cadmium plated as I have heard this provides good corrosion protection in a marine environment. Is this possible? |
Cadmium is now a heavily restricted substance and although it was once widely used on marine applications, it can now only be applied to parts for either military/defence applications or safety critical applications such as aerospace parts. We would recommend a suitable alternative to cadmium which would be to apply a zinc/nickel alloy coating. This process offers exceptionally good corrosion resistant properties and is now being widely used in many applications as an alternative to cadmium plating.
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Title: chrome replacements
From: charlie5
United Kingdom
Date: 20th April 2010 |
Hi , I was wondering if you could let me know what alternatives there are to using chrome plating - with REACH regs coming in I need to know what the options are? thanks |
It depends on what you are using the chrome plating for: If the application is for decorative purposes you could continue to use Chrome which should be deposited from a Trivalent process. This type of Chrome is specified as best practice for this type of application and is unlikely to be affected by REACH in the immediate future. The concern is the continued use of Hexavalent Chrome which is the only method of applying Hard Chrome plate in engineering application. There are a number of alternative processes which may be used however the main finish which is widely used in the Electroplating Industry is Electroless Nickel Plating - commonly known as ENP - this is an autocatalytic process which deposits a Nickel Phosphorus alloy coating which can be heat treated to increase its coating hardness properties near to that of some Hard Chrome processes. A final point is that Hard Chrome Plating is not banned and currently Chromium Oxide is not even on the list of 'substances of very high concern' and also any alternative proceeses you wish to use should first be discussed and agreed with your customer / End User. Hope that helps - if you need any more help please contact us on swmf@eicgroup.co.uk or 01392 258234 |
