The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Chromate Based Coatings

I am a first year university student I am doing a project on chromate based coatings for aircraft exterior, and in this project I have to say why non-chromate coatings are inferior. I have researched libraries and the internet, and have found very little. Here is my question; exactly why are non-chromate based coatings inferior to their chromate based counterparts. What exactly makes them inferior. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jesse [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
University of Toronto - Toronto, Ontario
2000

---

The most favorable aspects of chromate coatings are that the chromate itself is an effective corrosion inhibitor, the chromate coating is a self-healing gel film, and chromating is easy to do right whereas the substitutes are more finicky.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2000