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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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The use of Blue Dye to test for Anodic Coating Sealing Quality
2007
Hi,
I am currently running a qualification project on our chromic anodising process. One of the qualification tests required is sealing quality EN 12373-4 [ed. note: replaced by DIN EN ISO 2143]. The specification calls for proprietary product SANODAL Blue 2LW dye. Our laboratories have never used this product, and I am battling to source a supplier - let alone data sheets - for this product.
Questions;
1. Can anybody recommend a supplier for this product?
2. Is there an alternative dye or ink that can be used in this regard?
3. Is it possible to use generic reagents to make-up an equivalent dye?
Thanking you in advance.
Victor Xaba
aerostructures - Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
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2007 A. Try to find the contact info for Clariant. I believe that they carry the product. Compton, California, USA A. For tiny amounts, such as you would need for this test, you might try East-West Dye com in the USA. - Navarre, Florida 2007 A. Sanodal dyes are made and sold by Clariant which was formerly know as Sandoz Corp. The metals division is now located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. This dye is called out in ASTM B136 which is used to determine the integrity of a seal in as much as it's a test for anodic film quality. That spec does specifically state that it doesn't apply to Type I, chromic anodize coatings. While standardizing on a specific dye is necessary for such a test specification, on conventional sulfuric anodized coatings any type of "staining" agent works for this type test - strong black coffee being one (perhaps Starbucks)! This really is a seal quality test as the seal for anodize is often as important as the anodic layer itself. Finishing.com site is full of anodize quality issues that relate to inadequate or no seal whatsoever. Whatever the case, this is probably not the test for your chromic anodize coating.  Milt Stevenson, Jr. Syracuse, New York 2007 A. Sandoz and Sanodal dyes are manufactured and sold by Clariant Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd., Chamdor (a suburb of Johannesburg). Ken Vlach [deceased]- Goleta, California 
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from. 2007 |
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