Phosphate Coatings * RoHS Compliant *
Phosphate coatings are made up of thin crystalline layers of phosphate compounds that adhere to the surface of the metal substrate. The phosphate crystals are porous and can be formed from zinc, manganese, or iron phosphate solutions. Each of the three types offer a phosphate coating with slightly different properties such as crystal size and coating thickness. This allows a more specialized coating to be selected for the particular application required for the part.
These coatings are usually applied to carbon steel, low-alloy steel, and cast iron. The coating is formed by either spraying or immersing the substrate into a solution of dilute phosphoric acid combined with other chemicals that assist in the coating process. The phosphoric acid solution reacts with the surface of the metal to chemically form a mildly protective layer of insoluble crystalline phosphate. Phosphate coatings can also be applied to zinc, cadmium, aluminum, tin and galvanized steel, but are difficult to apply on material with high alloys which are often immune to the phosphoric acid.
Ampere Metal Finishing Facilities
Ampere Metal Finishing has both Zinc and Manganese Phosphate processes available. Our Phosphate processes produce high quality Phosphate coatings which comply with automotive, aerospace, and military specifications.
We are able to process parts by rack, barrel or baskets, which allows us to choose the most efficient and appropriate method for your production needs no matter how large or small.
Our 20,000 square foot facilities includes a fifteen feet long by two feet wide Zinc Phosphate processing line with a two ton lifting capacity. This allows us to process those heavy, oversized parts that most metal finishing shops are unable to handle.
For your bulk processing requirements, our Zinc and Manganese barrel line, with a one ton lifting capacity, allows us to provide you with a quality job and a fast delivery time.
Supplementary Post Treatments
Applying a supplementary post treatment after the phosphate is common practice and is even called for in many phosphate specifications. Phosphate has an excellent ability to absorb these supplementary coatings which improves appearance, corrosion resistance, and resistance to abrasion.
Phosphate coatings offer good corrosion resistance. A properly applied post treatment, allowing full absorption of the supplementary coating into the crystal structure of the phosphate, enhances the corrosion protection to the metal, while producing a deeper gray-black appearance. An appropriate post treatment also increases the resistance to abrasion of the phosphate coating where break-in of mating parts are required.
Oil post treatments are one of the most common used after phosphate coating. The oil is absorbed into the crystal of the phosphate coating and also leaves a film of oil on the surface, offering increased corrosion protection. The oil can be either diluted or dried to produce a nearly dry to the touch finish that is only slightly oily. This, however, will decrease the corrosion protection value of the oil post treatment. A special sealer may also be used as an alternative dry to the touch post treatment, where absolutely no oil film is desired.
Post Treatments for Improved Corrosion Resistance!
- Water Soluble Oil (Our default post treatment)
- Water Soluble Light Oil (dry to the touch)
- Water Soluble Heavy Oil
- Water Soluble Sealer
- Water Soluble Wax
- Dry Film Lubricants
Phosphate Specifications
Ampere Metal Finishing certifies our Phosphate Coatings to many specifications. The following lists some of the more common specifications for Phosphate. If the particular specification you require is not listed, please contact us for further information.
Phosphate Specifications
- MIL-DTL-16232G, TYPE M CL 1
- MIL-DTL-16232G, TYPE M CL 2
- MIL-DTL-16232G, TYPE M CL 3
- MIL-DTL-16232G, TYPE Z, CL 1
- MIL-DTL-16232G, TYPE Z, CL 2
- AMS 2481
- ASTM B633 TYPE II
- CA-G102 PARA 8.1 CLASS A
- GM 4435-M, CODE A
- GMW 3179, CODE A
- ISO9717
- MIL-DTL-16232G, TYPE Z, CL 3
- MIL-STD-171
- DOD-P-16232
- P 1292 G00 REV A
- PPS 32.06
- CSP-16
- EEPS-27
- TT-C-490, TYPE I
- WSS-M3P36-A2
- ZFN 2016
- 223.011-41
For a complete list of all the specifications available click here.
For more information about phosphate coatings click here.
To view the properties and benefits of phosphate coatings click here.
