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Clear anodize vs. clear chromate in light duty work

 

My company specs clear anodize finish on several machined or sheet metal aluminum components (typically 6061-T6 or 5052-H32). We often call out holes that must free of finish to maintain electrical contact between a PC board and the ground plane.

Recently a vendor suggested clear chromate as an electrically conductive alternative to clear anodize, thus saving the cost of plugging holes.

In a light duty industrial environment (electronics assembly) that requires 5+ years durability, good appearance (no yellowing) and corrosion resistance, is clear chromate an acceptable alternative to clear anodize?

Patrick Simpson
- Rochester, New York

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If you could substitute, and it is very possible that you might, you would save a lot more than the cost of plugging the holes.

  
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania

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This is a very tough one to answer: the problem being that the corrosion resistance of clear chromate doesn't even compare with anodizing, and 5 years is a long time, and mileage may vary. So there will surely be at least one customer who finds the substitution unsatisfactory.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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