Summary for removing zinc phosphate Discussion
Removing zinc phosphate is the core issue in this thread: Shane B. says his cold-headed rivets are degreased and then heat treated, but a white powder at the retort opening was analyzed as zinc phosphate and soap, likely left from the wire supplier’s coating. He suspects the current cleaning step is not fully removing the phosphate-lube film before heat treat. In reply, Arjun recommends contacting Chemetall GmbH in the U.S. and asking about Pyroclean 636, which he says operates at 85 °C for 15 minutes and can remove this phosphate-lube coating from the surface. He adds that Chemetall may have even better cleaners for the job. The thread does not report a final tested solution, only a suggested cleaner and supplier to consult.
2003
Q. We have several operations in our manufacturing process before the final product is assembled, packaged and shipped. One of our components “Rivets” which hold the chain together follows the following operations.
1. Cold headed
2. Degreased
3. Heat treated
During the heat-treat process we notice a white powder like substance that gathers at the opening of the heat treat retorts. We have analyzed this and have determined that it is zinc phosphate and soap.
We believe this is the coating the wire manufacturers apply during their manufacturing process. When we degrease the cold headed rivets we do not believe that the zinc phosphate is completely removed which shows up in the heat treat operation.
Do you know of any cleaners that will effectively degrease and remove the zinc phosphate?
Shane B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
– Portland, Oregon, USA
A. Dear Shane, you can enquire of Chemetall GmbH, having branches in US too. They have a cleaner namely – Pyroclean 636, operated at 85 °C for 15 min., which can remove this phosphate-lube coating from surface. Might be they have better cleaners that this.
Regards,
Arjun [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
– Mumbai, India
2003