Chromate conversion

Chromate conversion coatings are thin, noncrystalline, adherent surface layers of low solubiHty phosphoms and/or chromium compounds produced by the reaction of suitable reagents with the metal surface (2,3). The two classes of chromate coatings are chromium phosphates (green chromates) and chromium chromates (gold chromates). 

Operation nd Control. Control of chromium chromate conversion coating baths is accompHshed by controlling chromium concentration and pH. The quaHty of the conversion coating is sensitive to aluminum accumulations in the coating bath as well as to rinse water purity. Sulfate contamination is a particular problem. 

Chromate conversion coatings for aluminum are carried out in acidic solutions. These solutions usually contain one chromium salt, such as sodium chromate or chromic acid and a strong oxidizing agent such as hydrofluoric acid or nitric acid. The final film usually contains both products and reactants and water of hydration. Chromate films are formed by the chemical reaction of hexavalent chromium with a metal surface in the presence of accelerators such as cyanides, acetates, formates, sulfates, chlorides, fluorides, nitrates, phosphates, and sulfamates. 

Complex oxide film is formed in a basic solution, whereas the films described earlier are formed in an acidic solution. Complex oxide conversion coating reactions do not contain either hexavalent or trivalent chromium ions. However, the sealing rinse contains much greater quantities of hexavalent and trivalent chromium ions than do the sealing rinses associated with phosphate conversion coatings and chromate conversion coatings. 

Hexavalent chromium-bearing wastewaters are produced in the metal finishing industry in chromium electroplating, in chromate conversion coatings, in etching with chromic acid, and in metal finishing operations carried out on chromium as a basis material. 

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Enhancement of Acid-Chloride Resistance in a Chromate Conversion Coating... 

Chromate conversion coatings perform poorly in environments containing acidified chloride. In salt/S02 spray tests the substrate metal is heavily pitted after three to four days of exposure. In this work, a new coating was developed which itiproved the corrosion resistance of the conventional chromate coating remarkably. 

Almost all aluminum structures are painted with organic polymers for corrosion protection. The purpose of incorporating an inhibitor interface (chromate conversion coating) between the substrate and tlie paint film is to ensure protection vAien paints fail to perform( ). It has been generally acc ted that no matter what Icind of paint system, and how well it is applied, it always will have some porosity defects and will degrade with tine during service. 

The procedure for applying coatings was almost the same as used for conventional chromate conversion coating. The new conversion coating called CMT was an additional surface aK>lication after standard chromate conversion coating. The experimental protocol used was as follows ... 

Salt Spray Test Panels coated with the standard chromate conversion coating and CMT were compared with each other in their corrosion resistant properties in several ways. The conventional 5% NaCl/S02 fog chamber tests showed excessive corrosion and pitting within one week on chromate conversion coated (COC) 7075-T6 A1 alloy panels. The CMT coated panels were almost uncorroded and without any pits. The plates in Figure 1 show the conditions of the panels after 7 and 14 days exposure in this environment. Even after 14 days exposure the CMT panels were still far better than COC panels. 

The mechanism of developing corrosion protective properties in an inorganic coating principally consists of forming insoluble oxides on the netal surface. Additionally, oxides must have certain corrosion inhibition (redox) properties which can protect the nnetal substrate from corrosive species like Cl and 804 . In the case of chromate conversion coating, OCC, the oxides of aluminum and chromium have been responsible for their corrosion inhibitive properties which were derived from their soluble and insoluble portions of the... 

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