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topic 47674
Understanding MIL-C-5541 Type 1 Class 1A & 3, and Type 2 Class 1a & 3
Current question and answers:
December 13, 2020Q. Is that possible that Mil-DTL-5541 [link is to free spec at Defense Logistics Agency, dla.mil] type II class 1a or type I class 3 coating processes on Aluminum alloys?
ender toprak- Ankara, Turkey
December 2020
A. Hi Ender. Yes, there are two types and two classes. If I am understanding your question correctly, the answer is that all four combinations are listed in MIL-DTL-81706 and its Qualified Products List Database (QPL).
Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
Previous closely related Q&A's starting in:
January 28, 2008Q. What is the difference between these two mil standards? Is one for a clear RoHS compliant and the other for a yellow RoHS compliant? Or is the Mil-C-5541 for clear RoHS and Mil-DTL-5541 [link is to free spec at Defense Logistics Agency, dla.mil] for yellow hex. Please let me know. Thank you.
Mike Loganplating shop employee - Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 4, 2008
A. Mike, Hi.
Type I - Compositions containing Hex Chrome
Type II - Compositions containing no Hex Chrome
Class 1A - For maximum protection against corrosion, painted or unpainted.
Mil-C-5541 did not mention Type I or II whereas Mil-DTL-5541 [link is to free spec at Defense Logistics Agency, dla.mil] does. Class 1A is the same for both standards. For Mil-DTL-5541, it is very clear when Type II is mentioned, the conversion coating shall not contain Hexavalent Chrome, hence, RoHS compliant. When Type I is mentioned, the conversion coat contains Hexavalent Chrome but it may not necessarily be yellow. There are clear conversion coatings out there which are Hexavalent chromium based. As far as I am concerned, there is no yellow conversion coat (yellow chromate if you prefer) that is Type II. If you have time check out http://assist.daps.dla.mil ^ quicksearch.dla.mil and check out some excellent trivalent chromium base conversion coats (Henkel, Surtec, Macdermid, Luster On ) which can, incidentally be classified as Type II.
- Penang, Malaysia
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Ed. note: The address for the mil spec service was updated as noted since Cheah's posting
February 28, 2008
A. Mike,
Further readings on earlier posts at finishing.com, apparently, there are yellow conversion coating that is Type II - clear conversion coating with yellow dye.
MST - Penang Malaysia
Hi Cheah. I think the point of confusion is that there may be RoHS compliant trivalent conversion coatings which are yellow, either through the addition of dye or because they are thick-film and naturally yellow, but which are not be on the QPL yet -- which means you're not compliant with MIL-DTL-5541 if you use them.
So it probably isn't correct to call such coatings Type II ... just call them yellow and RoHS-compliant :-)
Regards,


Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
August 27, 2009
Q. Can anyone tell me what are the differences in the new standards (Mil-DTL-5541 [link is to free spec at Defense Logistics Agency, dla.mil]F) as compared to the old.
Thomas JosephPrecision Metal Fabricator - Singapore
A. Hi Thomas. We appended your question to a thread where Cheah Sin Kooi had answered the question: RoHS-compliant (Type II) coatings were not part of the old Mil-C-5541 standards. Good luck.
Regards,


Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
December 6, 2013
Q. Is Iridite per MIL-C-5541E, class 1A compliant with RoHS?
Senthil Kumar- Bangalore, INDIA
December 9, 2013
A. Hi Senthil. Iridite is a Macdermid trade name for a range of chromate conversion coating processes, some of which are RoHS compliant, whereas others are based on non-compliant hexavalent chrome. Good luck.
Regards,


Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
September 26, 2014
Q. Is the part processed per type I hazardous in any way? Or just the chemical solution used in the process? We have parts processed per type I versus required type II. The customer is giving us a hard time. Thanks.
david ho- Milford, Connecticut, usa
September 2014
A. Hi David. RoHS is short for the European Parliament's directives on Reduction of Hazardous Substances, and refers to the constitution of the parts, not the processes used to manufacture the parts. The situation is simply that parts processed in Type II solutions do not put hexavalent chromium on the parts, so the parts are very likely to be RoHS complaint. Processing parts per Type I does put hexavalent chromate on the parts, and they are unlikely to pass a test of their RoHS compliance.
Many domestic and non-European customers are requiring RoHS compliance, so it is understandable that the customer is giving you a hard time -- he may not be able to use the parts.
"...hazardous in any way?" is relative and qualitative, and I don't think anyone can definitively answer. But a former governor of NJ once declared that " 'toxic' is a matter of statute, not opinion", and I think we can look at the word 'hazardous' the same way. Good luck.
Regards,


Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Striving to live Aloha
June 8, 2016
Q. Is Mil-DTL-5541 [link is to free spec at Defense Logistics Agency, dla.mil] Class 1A Gold Alodine acceptable for the Spacex callout:
Chemical conversion coating Class 1A using Alodine 1200 or equivalent? Thanks, gs
Quality Inspector - Mtn. View, California USA
June 16, 2016
A. Hi Gary,
Without being a Spacex employee I cannot guarantee my answer is correct, only they can do that, but it does look like it is meant to relate to MIL-DTL-5541 Class 1A, of which Alodine 1200 is on the QPD for MIL-DTL-81706 "Chemical Conversion Materials For Coating Aluminum And Aluminum Alloys".
Aerospace - Yeovil, Somerset, UK
October 13, 2016
Q. Is there a MIL-DTL-5541, Type II Class 1A Chem film that is doesn't contain hex chrome?
Gary Smith- Everett, Massachusetts USA
October 2016
A. Hi Gary. Yes, there are several -- Mil-DTL-81706 [link is to free spec at Defense Logistics Agency, dla.mil] lists them. Type II in actual effect essentially means "doesn't contain hex chrome". Good luck.
Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Aloha -- an idea worth spreading
