SurTec Aluminium Newsletter

The approaching restriction of chrome(-VI) compounds in the surface treatment technology and in the pre-treatment of aluminium does not necessarily lead to chrome-free technologies. The positive corrosion protection characteristics of chrome(III)-containing conversion coatings should not be sacrificed. In the attached study it was shown that both alternative systems, with and without Cr(III), comply with the standard of the European Quality Association QUALICOAT. In direct comparison and in view of the corrosion protection section, however, the chrome (III) containing process was clearly superior. Through the use of chrome(III) as in SurTec 653 one can be assured of higher process reliability. While chrome-free systems barely fulfill the quality requirements, the Cr(III) containing system clearly surpasses these requirements. Slight variances in the industrial coating process and differences in the quality of the aluminium can be better offset by using chrome(III). Under registration number A-111, SurTec 653 is registered as an alternative pre-treatment system by QUALICOAT.