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

Raw aluminium material which withstands 500-700hrs salt spray?

I would like to know the aluminium material ( solids ) which can withstand the salt spray treatment of 500-700 hours, apart from the aluminium die-cast alloy material.

K Sreenivasa
Buyer - Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2007

Raw bare metal? None!

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007

---

Au contraire Mr. Watts! Pure aluminum deposited via the Alumiplate organic electrolyte method or ion-vapor deposited (i.e. Ivadize) both will hold up to 1,000 hours of salt spray. For extraordinary applications where the cost is warranted, I've sub-contracted otherwise poor corrosion resistant aluminum alloys, including really poor 380 die cast, to result in a part with outstanding resistance to the surrounding elements. The other benefit is that if the part is subsequently anodized, chromated or otherwise finished, the uniformity of appearance and ease of processing is greatly enhanced. While it's not conventional or cheap, it is possible if it's really needed.

Milt Stevenson, Jr.
Syracuse, New York
2007

---

Thanks for filling us in on that, Milt, but I think it's a question of semantics. I don't think I'd consider electroplated aluminum "raw bare metal", although I do understand your point that the electroplated layer is itself raw bare metal.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007