Best coating for aluminum hotplate?

2006

Hi,
Can anyone advise as to the best pre-treatment if any of a cast aluminum hotplate that will reach a temperature of 400 deg C. Material is LM6. It will be used in laboratories where chemicals will come into contact with the surface.

Thanks

Andy Mellor

There is no perfect solution.
Anodize by itself is vulnerable to caustic material.
Hard anodize with a coat of teflon (many kinds, so be careful) would probably do well.
Electroless nickel should stand up to most chemicals, but will turn many colors with the heat and a number of things will leave stains.
A true ceramic, probably plasma sprayed and honed might be worth trying.
Fired porcelain is also an option.

James Watts
Navarre, Florida
2006

Andy,
I think 400 °C is not an advisable temperature for aluminum. It is so close to its softening temperature. Complete melting comes at around 650 °C. Maybe you should consider another base metal for safety reasons.

Guillermo Marrufo

2006

Teflon will not work well at this temp.
The best solution is enamel, it will resist most of chemicals products at this temperature.

Jordi Pujol

2006

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