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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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Paint adhesion failures over Mil-C-5541 chromate conversion coating
Q. A customer of ours seems to be experiencing paint adhesion problems from time to time.They are applying a water based primer per MIL-PRF-85582 [from DLA] to aluminum parts. The strange thing is, there doesn't seem to be any problems related to anodized parts. Virtually all failures seem to be in conjunction with parts that have been chem filmed per MIL-C-5541 prior to painting. Also, there does not seem to be any adhesion problems when MIL-PRF-23377 [on DLA] primer is used over either anodize or chem film. Anybody had any similar experiences?
Kent BackusFort Worth, Texas, USA
1999
A. Kent,
What is the time frame between chem film and coating? Are the parts getting dirty? Are they recleaned?
Alodine vs. anodize - If the pretreatment cycle and the coating cycle is longer for chem film than for anodize, contamination is probably your problem. Both surfaces will get contaminated, the longer they sit, the worse the contamination.
- West Plains, Missouri
1999
Q. Hello,
For two years immersion of Mild steel components in the water, what are the best types of paints that can be used. Presently we are using epoxy 2 pack yellow zinc chromate. It fails (due to poor adhesion) within 2 months time. The surface is well cleaned with metal treatment solutions and it undergoes a good pretreatment prior to the paint application. Kindly advise me.
- Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
2002
Q. Does anyone know if there is a time limit (maximum time) before having to apply a primer after having treated 2024-T3 aluminium with Alodine/Alochrom 1200. If it is not painted within a set time, will it have an effect on paint adhesion? The Technical data sheets does not state such a limit, but are there aerospace industry rules-of-thumb?
Hanri PotgieterAerospace - Pretoria, South Africa
September 12, 2017
A. Hi Hanri,
Normally primer shall be applied no longer than 16-24 hours (depending on spec) after Alodine; note that it also has to be painted not less than 30 minutes after treatment
aero industry - Mielec, Poland
December 3, 2017
A. Be reminded that the chromate coating should be very thin to be painted. Heavy yellow chromate will peel under paint.
MIL-DTL-5541 makes this clear. Also, never put "acid-wash-primer " over chromate as is deteriorates the coating.
Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services
Garner, North Carolina
December 5, 2017
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