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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Need Alkali Etch information for Aluminum
We are a cold heading company and produce small aluminum components in very high volume (millions). Our customer has historically done the finishing but is now asking for us to provide the parts "Alkali Etched" and we know nothing about the process. Can someone briefly describe the process and it's intent? The materials we use are Aluminum 1100 H12 and 3003.
Mike HartleyCold Formed Parts Manufacturer - Elmhurst, Illinois, USA
2004
2004
Tumble the parts in the following solutions (I can furnish sources but not on this forum).
1. Commercial Alkali NON-etch soak cleaner, 140 °F, steel tank, 5 minutes to remove ORGANIC SOIL so that the subsequent etch will be uniform.
2. Cold Water Rinse
3. Alkali Etch in a commercial alkali etch compound, about 6 oz/gal 140 °F, 5 minutes.
4. Cold Water Rinse
5. Deoxidize in a Commercial Deox formulation, 10 minutes , room temp.
Ask your customer what he want to put on to prevent oxidation before he gets around to using the parts.
Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services
Garner, North Carolina
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