Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Singing The Chemfilm Blues

2004

We have a small lot of auminum castings that we suspect have a Chemfilm problem that prohibits adhesive from sticking to it.

Is there a chemical we could clean these with to correct the Chemfilm issue?

For the short term we are removing the surface finish to expose the aluminum thus allowing a bond. We need a better solution for the long term.

Pete Cappon
calamp corp - Oxnard, California, USA

What you need is a glue that is compatible with the chromate.Talk to the major glue providers.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2004

The adhesive we are using is compatible with chromate because we typically have a very strong bond. Occasionally we have a batch of casts that were not processed correctly causing the fallout. I am looking for a magic chemical that would correct the problem.

Pete Cappone
commercial - Oxnard, California, USA
2004

I would like other responses to this problem. Is the majority of the problem poor house keeping or a step skipped in the process that causes this? The parts look like they were poorly rinsed or rinsed in filthy solution.

Pete Cappone
commercial - Oxnard, California
2004