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Title: Titanium Anodise Type II
From: John Durban
United Kingdom
Date: 31st January 2012 |
Hi,
We have designed parts in Titanium and are specifying an Anodise type II finish to AMS2488. I understood this to be an Alkaline process, requiring a pH of >13.
In recent correspondence with SWMF I have seen references to acid. Can SWMF anodise Ti to AMS2488 type II, and does the spec allow the use of both acid and alkaline solutions?
Thanks, John. |
Hi John
The specification doesn’t allow for both, it definitely has to be alkaline. Though we are aware that this process can be applied, unfortunately we do not carry out this process, we can currently do acid only as we do not often get asked to do the alkaline process. If you have a large amount of parts to process for a longer term project then we are always willing to put in processes if commercially viable.
I hope this gives sufficient information but if you wish to discuss it further please do not hesitate to call and speak to either Steve Mayer or Alan Prouse, Kevin Baker.01392 258234 |
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Title: Bleaching of Black Anodised Aluminium due to UV Light
From: Alan Parsons
United Kingdom
Date: 22nd July 2011 |
We manufacture UV lamps for the printing industry.
The outer casings are usually made from black anodised aluminium.
Because of the presence of UV the covers 'bleach out' quite quickly. A customer of ours is using one of our lamps in a 'clean room' environment and has asked whether any physical particles are released during the bleaching process? |
Without seeing the part it is difficult to give an accurate answer but one of the first things we would explore in this situation is the sealing process used. It may be that they are not adequately sealed and if this is the case there is a possibility that there would be a leaching out of the dye. If you have any further queries please contact one of our technical team who may be able to assist further |
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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: dechroming
From: shazib kiani
United Kingdom
Date: 27th April 2011 |
Hi,
I have 18inch Kahn alloy wheels which had been chromed already when I bought my car.Now the chrome is peeling off and I just wanted to ask you guys if you could dechrome the alloys and bring the wheels back to their original finish.I can send some pics of the wheels so if you would like me to send them then do let me know please.
Regards,
Shazib Kiani. |
Hi Shazib, unfortunately we don't do car or motorbike parts here-You will need to be able to tell a possible supplier which type of alloy the tyres are manufactured with. This has an important bearing on which stripping method you would use (if you use the wrong type of strip the tyres may dissolve!). It is certainly possible to get it done but i'm afraid we cannot do it here. |
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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 |
