Henkel’s pipeline of innovations for the aluminum industry does not stop short when it comes to anodizing, one of the most established technologies of aluminum processing. In complementing its latest developments for optimizing the conversion coating of aluminum products, the company also offers improved BONDERITE® technologies for the three key steps of degreasing, etching and hot or cold sealing in the aluminum anodizing process.
Aluminum in its raw, unfinished state reacts with oxygen in ambient air and other weathering influences, resulting in an uncontrolled and undesirable, unaesthetic oxide layer. Although galvanic coating can be used to prevent this effect, it adds an extra layer of material and weight. In contrast, anodizing directly converts the outermost aluminum layer into a controlled thin and smooth oxide skin, reliably protecting the surface from further oxidization (corrosion). Depending on the specific needs of the end product, the typical thickness of the anodized layer is normally just between 5 and 25 µm.
"As the demand for lightweight and aesthetic aluminum parts increases, manufacturers need cost-effective anodizing solutions to maximize both the productivity and sustainability of their processes,” says Raul Hernandez, Business Development Manager Light Metal Finishing for Henkel. “Our BONDERITE® portfolio for aluminum anodizing comprises specialized products for all process steps, beginning with chemicals for mechanical pretreatment e.g.: grinding, polishing and cleaning; up to the substances for the chemical process: degreasing, etching, desmutting, brightening, anodizing, electrolytical coloring and sealing. The range is actually fronted by a new non-etching one-component degreaser, a long-life etching additive for outstanding E6 finish, and a high-productivity hot sealing as well as a nickel-free cold sealing additive.”