1070. Zinc phosphate (June 18)

Letter 1070

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I understand that to prepare steel or cast iron for painting, a thorough solution is phosphating. Can someone tell me what kind of corrosion resistance I should expect on the interior surface? The (cast iron part) interior will remain unpainted and the exterior will be painted. Assume the zinc phosphating procedure is in accordance with specification TT-C-490 [link is to info about spec at TechStreet] and has an average weight of 300 mg/sq. ft. (150-500 mg/sq.ft. required per spec).

thanks

C. A. Sanchez
self employed

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Dear Mr. Sanchez:

Don't expect to receive much corrosion protection from the zinc phosphate coating itself (less then 24 hours NSS). Zinc phosphate will compliment the performance of the painted portion of your part but provide little protection on its own.

Consider electrocoating the piece to provide interior protection.

Edward Koneczny

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Zinc phosphate applied as per TT-C-490 "C" rev or prior does enhance the metal protection. As long as the coating is thick enough to form full crystals, you will gain protection.

Otherwise you will only increase your primer binder.

Unfortunately, the government has split the thicknesses and created what I call an unformed crystal coating [TT-C-490 "D"] and a heavy plating [DOD-P-16232 [link is to info about spec at TechStreet]F]. The "heavy" coatings in 16232 are listed to .0004" thick. However, after some 20+ years using the stuff applied by plating contractors, it is even better when up to .002" thick. All this assumes a primer and then a topcoat will be applied. (Chromate sealer can be left out if you use an epoxy or poly- type primer.) Now, we have been writing about steel as the substrate in my case.

N. Lassario

"Phosphating of Metals" by Rausch is also available from --

this link at
Abebooks.com (USA)

this link at
AbeBooks.co.uk (U.K.)

During degreasing with conventional alkalies like soda ash +sodium meta silicate+ tsp +acid slurry combination sometime gives very poor results . Can any one help me by suggesting some better combination.

praveen verma
fine chem - India

Praveen:

Here in the U.S.A., very few shops attempt to formulate their own cleaners anymore. To do really good work at development of cleaners is a full-time job. It is just so much more practical to buy proprietary cleaners than to suffer poor cleaning day after day trying to learn what the suppliers learned 25 years ago. Contact some of the major suppliers and you may find that the cost of pre-formulated cleaners is not prohibitive.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

My question is:
In tne Zinc Phosphating process, what is the best relation PO4/Zn and how much of Cu and NO3?

ALFREDO BERRIO
- Columbia

We are currently experiencing problems with zinc phosphate on steel rusting. Our application does not lend itself to leaving the heavy coat of oil on the machined part surface. When the rust inhibitor, the oil, is removed, rust forms. We are currently investigating teflon instead of the oil. Not sure how heavy the coating will be. We are restricted by a no buildup allowed situation with dims critical to a couple of tenths. Anyone know how effective teflon is and if it is as messy as the oil?

Gary King

I am looking for a really good chemical to remove Rust from Oil Tools, which are used in a working oil well for various purpuses. (I am trying to remove Ferrous Oxide from Iron) I would prefer a chemical which is NOT regulated nor controlled by the EPA. A biodegradable chemical would be wonderful. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You, David Carter

David Carter
Park, Kansas

I would like to have formulation for zinc phosphate cold. I am already manufacturing zinc phosphate by adding phos acid+zno2+nicklecorbonate. I have trouble in doing demo in a small bath 4 litres where we add 1 gram of caustic soda and .1% of sodium nitrite. The same zinc phosphating works well in big bath.

Kindly advise,

Harish Chitkara
Synthetic Polymers - Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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