A neutral descaler is an innovative and successful material introduced to address specific challenges associated with metal pretreatment andelectrocoating of single metal or mixed metal lines. A neutral descaler improves phosphate coverage on welds and heat affected zonesresulting in increased paint adhesion and overall corrosion protection while allowing the use of zinc-coated and aluminum substrates. This presentation demonstrates the application process and performance enhancements gained by using a neutral descaler. Additionally, phosphate coverage on and near weld areas on different substrates will be reviewed along with the adhesion and corrosion protection advantages.
Processing Multiple Substrates Through a Zinc Phosphate Line
Component suppliers and OEMs are switching certain components from ferrous metals to aluminum to meet the ever-changing requirements of lighter-weight components with longer corrosion protection. The increase of aluminum production presents many problems for traditional zinc phosphate lines as aluminum produces considerably more sludge than ferrous, or zinc coated substrates during the phosphating process. Increased maintenance as well as costly chemical and mechanical changes must be implemented to consistently produce a suitable zinc phosphate coating on aluminum. As opposed to making these changes, this presentation will discuss a two-step process where automotive component suppliers may increase their aluminum throughput while minimizing the negative side effects of phosphating aluminum.