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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Conductive Coating for Aluminum

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2000

Hello, I am looking for a coating/finish for Al 6061-T6 plate which is ESD dissipative (slightly electrically conductive), long wearing, and does not contain Fe, Ni, or Cr.

Can this coating be lapped and polished after application to achieve super-flatness?

Thank you.

Michael McEachen
Digital Instruments - Santa Barbara, California, USA

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It is possible to deposit and lap several other metals or alloys. Need to find out what works better.

Please contact us.

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
2000

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I'm looking for an appropriate conductive coating for aluminum electrical connector backshells that will provide electrical continuity for electrostatic shielding. I would prefer a black coating, but clear or other colors could be considered. I want to be able to specify this process to the connector manufacturer for use in relatively small quantities.

Ron Martin
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
1998

Ron:

One finish on aluminum that is conductive is Alodine or Iridite. It has a yellow tint or can also come in a clear finish. The military specification is MIL-C-5541.

Regards,

Bob Bramson
B&M Finishers / Prismatic Stainless Steel

Kenilworth, New Jersey

1998

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1998

Ron,

The chromate conversion coating on aluminum may have enough electrical conductivity for your purpose.

Donald M. Mattox
Society of Vacuum Coaters
Albuquerque, New Mexico

I too seek a black, conductive aluminum coating. In the 1980s a local (San Jose, CA) plater provided us with what he called black Alodine. Nowadays nobody seems to have heard of it.

Everett Reed
- Monterey, California
1999

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Is Aluminium with Alodine finish solderable on printed circuit board (PCB)?

Regards,

Vartan SAHKAYAN
power supplies - Sydney, Australia
2001

No, Alodine/Iridite is not wettable by tin-lead or any common solder.

Stephen Shelton
enclosure design - Atlanta, Georgia
March 18, 2010