Summary for alocrom 1200 Discussion
Alocrom 1200 is a chromate conversion coating on aluminum, and the thread suggests it is not a mysterious or especially difficult process for experienced manufacturing people to learn. In response to Carl Carr’s question about whether it is a major industry requirement or a profitable fad, Marc Green says it is simply a trade name for chromate conversion coatings and that engineers and manufacturers can pick it up like other aerospace, train, and automotive processes. Another answer gives a practical guide: the coating is made by preparing the metal, dipping, rinsing, and drying. It is normally used to produce a golden, corrosion-resistant finish with about 168 hours of salt-spray resistance. A lighter coating can be made with shorter immersion for electrical bonding and lower contact resistance. The answer also warns not to heat above 50 °C, because the coating can dehydrate and crack, reducing corrosion resistance.
Q. I have extensive experience in engineering (aerospace, train and automobile), and I am interviewing for a job which maybe requires knowledge of alocrom 1200! Is this really a major part of industry and aerospace design, or any easy fad we manufacturing guys can learn and make commercially profitable.
Thank you,
Carl Carr
aerospace – UK
2001
A. Alocrom is a brand name or trade name for chromate conversion coatings on aluminum. You manufacturing guys can learn it; it’s no harder than the other aspects of engineering aerospace, trains, and automobiles.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2001
A. HOLY MOLY! Do my eyes deceive me? An engineer wanting to learn about coatings? BRAVO! (now..if we could just get the other 1 million of you around the world to do the same.. my job would be SO much easier) :)
Marc Green
anodizer – Boise, Idaho
2001
2001
A. A potted guide:
Alocrom is a conversion coating – prepare metal dip rinse and dry and coating is done
Normally used to give a golden corrosion resistant coating –
168hrs salt spray
Less commonly it can give a lighter coat by less immersion time which can be used for electrical bonding – lower contact resistance than golden coat.
Do not heat over 50 °C as coating de-hydrates and cracks reducing salt spray resistance.
Comes a powder to make a dip solution also a two pack liquid system which only has pot life of 24hrs for brush application. (dip lats very long time by simple analysis and additions)
There is not much more to say about it.
Martin Trigg-Hogarth
surface treatment shop – Stroud, Glos, England