Aluminum Pretreatment – Specific Surface Preparation for Aluminum Applications

It has been long recognized that aluminum and its alloys require specific surface preparation for successful subsequent metal deposition. Its natural protective oxide, the big difference of standard electrode potential between substrate and most platable metals and the wide variety of alloys make aluminum a challenge for electroplaters.

The common aluminum pretreatment involves cleaning, etching, desmutting and zincate steps. Atotech’s product range meets all these requirements and makes the task easier.

Product Examples

+ Etching
Product	Features
Alklean AC-2	A mild acid etchant providing a uniform etching that is readily modified by adjustments to temperature and concentration. Ideal for all aluminum alloys, especially for controlled etching of cast alloys.
+ Desmutting
Alum-Etch S	An effective, nitric-based etch and desmutter for casting alloys. It contributes to a uniform metallization and good adhesion on aluminum surfaces.
Desmutter NF 2	A non-nitric mildly acidic desmutting process designed to effectively remove difficult smuts. Effective for use on all aluminum alloys. Solid product for an easy operation and long life.
+ Zincating
Alumseal® NCY X2	A CN-free, liquid, high performance, zincate process producing a thin, uniform, zincate film on a wide variety of aluminum alloys. Its dilute formulation reduces drag-out volumes, produces a dense, fine-grained, 3-metal alloy immersion deposit to maximize subsequent plate adhesion. Ideal for replacing 4-metal, CN-based zincating.
Alumseal® 650	A low cost, CN-free, zincate bath to prepare a wide range of aluminum alloys for subsequent plating. A 2-metal alloy, zincate deposit is produced by immersion and promotes excellent adhesion. Single additive process.
Alumseal® W-2000	A CN-alkaline, 4-metal, zincate producing a thin film on aluminum alloys by an immersion on properly cleaned surfaces. Eliminates the necessity of the double zincate step with most aluminum alloys.

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