Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Can iron be chromated?

I study chemical engineering and I'd like to know about chromate conversion coating?

Could someone tell me if it can be used on iron? In literature has been said that it is commonly used on Al, Zn, Cu, Cd etc. How about Fe?

Marianna
- Finland
2000

Nope, iron cannot be chromated.

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

Thank you!

Is there a simple reason why iron cannot be chromated? What is the big difference between iron and other metals (that can be chromated)? Is it the reaction between metals and chromating solution or what? How is iron different?

Marianna
- Finland
2000

It's simply that iron does not react with dilute chromic acid and/or it does not generate useful reaction products. Iron phosphate or zinc phosphate are the usual conversion chemicals for iron materials because they do form useful reaction products. The chemistry of both chromate conversion products and phosphate conversion products are highly complex with numerous reactions products formed.

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

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