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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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ALODINE vs. IRIDITE
Q. What is Alodine and how does it differ from Iridite (conversion coating for Aluminum)
Would appreciate your reply.
We are a plating and metal finishing firm in London Ontario Canada and have encountered this question numerous times and have not been able to find a definitive answer.
plating and metal finishing - London, Ont. Canada
2000
A. Hi Robert. Chromate conversion coating of aluminum -- sometimes called chem-filming in the USA -- is most frequently done to mil spec MIL-DTL-5541 [on DLA]
To comply with that Mil-spec, however, requires that you use tested and recognized chemicals listed on 'qualified products list' QPL-81706 [on DLA]
Alodine is a tradename used by Henckel for their chromate conversion processes, and Iridite is a tradename of Macdermid for their chromate conversion processes. But both have a number of variations listed on that QPL: liquid vs. dry, clear vs. colored, no-rinse formulas, etc., so it's not quite a Pepsi vs. Coke situation but more like a Ford line of trucks vs. Chevy line of trucks.
Is one REALLY different than the other, or BETTER than the other? Well, is a Chevy really better than a Ford? Clearly, each company salespeople would claim so, and there are even people who do not have an axe to grind who feel that one is better than the other in some way or other.
But if I were running a shop would I put in both? No. Rather, I would tell my customers that the one I used was a fully qualified, top of the line, MIL-DTL-5541 conversion coating process.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2000
Is anyone purchasing CLEAR IRIDITED parts from CHINA ?
2007Q. Has any one purchased aluminum products with clear Iridite from China ?
Seems to me some of the contacts that I have in China do not know what is Clear Iridite.
Is there a different term for this finish?
Designer - New York, US
A. Hello, Jack. Please see my previous response for a detailed explanation.
Iridite is a Macdermid trademark, so one option would be to contact Macdermid and see if they can tell you what shops offer their finish in China.
A second option would be to look for it by the more generic spec, MIL-DTL-5541 chromate conversion coating.
A third option would be to appreciate that knowledge is invaluable, and to work with a local domestic shop so you can have a reasonable expectation of satisfactory processing without misunderstandings.
Good luck whatever way you go.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007
August 5, 2008
Q. I would like to know what is the difference between Alodine and Iridite?
Linda Lobuyer - San Jose, California
A. Hi, Linda. As you see, some questions are perennial; we appended your inquiry to a thread that answers it. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 6, 2008
Q. Dear Sir
Can anybody send me TDS AND MILL TEST CERTIFICATE OF ALODINE NR 6012, MADE BY HENKEL?
- Punjab, Pakistan
April 28, 2012
A. Hi Fayyaz.
I can tell you that NR 6012 is a hexavalent no-rinse chromate conversion coating for use on strip lines. But you would need to contact Henkel for certifications. I could be in error, but I believe that certifications must follow a link from the purchase, i.e., that you cannot copy someone else's certifications. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
April 29, 2012
Q. Dear Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Can you please send me more detail and literature for NR 6012.
Regards,
- Punjab, Pakistan
May 3, 2012
A. Hi cousin Fayyaz.
Sorry, but I have no such info. You need to contact Henkel for whatever you can't find on the web about Alodine NR 6012 because it is their proprietary product.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
May 3, 2012
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