Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----
Removing Zinc Phosphate
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
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread