Understanding More about Phosphate Coating
Phosphate Coating is available in three different types, manganese, and iron and zinc phosphate. Each of these types of coatings comes with their own distinct properties. Both the manganese and zinc are well capable of producing more complex layers of crystals that are able to readily absorb more lubricants. This process helps to make coatings to become even more effective in minimizing scuffing, pick up and galling. On the other hand, zinc and iron phosphates are often used as under coatings for the steel material as well as other metals before they are to be painted in order to enhance the corrosion protection and paint adhesion.
Another type of phosphate, which is the manganese phosphate, is the type that is more resistant to alkalinity and is also more compatible for wear and tear applications or on those applications where heavy thickness is required. All of the Phosphate Coating is great at preventing rust for manufacturing processes.
Deposit Thickness of Phosphate Coating
The Phosphate Coating can range from 0.1 to more than 2 mils thick. Industry standards often express the coating requirement by means of weight per square meter or by milligram per square foot instead of the actual thickness of deposit. The weight requirements of the coating are often dependent on the kind of phosphate process that is involved.
The Iron Phosphate often yield a much lighter coating and weighs around 30 to 80 mg/SF. Usually, the zinc phosphates will yield heavier coatings of about 150 to 2500 mg/SF. The Manganese phosphates on the other hand, are well capable of yielding the heaviest coating at more than 3500 mg/SF.
Applications for the Phosphate Coatings
The Zinc Phosphate Coating can be possibly applied by means of immersion, spray, or a combination of both spray and immersion. Basically, the coating can be used in the following:
• Pulleys
• Springs
• Slides
• Fasteners
The Heavy zinc phosphate is usually being used in retaining the rust preventive waxes and oils. The Zinc phosphate is able to provide maximum corrosion protection as well as extended life. The coatings also offer good corrosion protection since it bonds the final finish, in the form of wax, paint and oil. Such treatment will produce a uniform coating and is specifically suitable for the corrosion protection of threaded parts and areas that have holes and recesses.
Popularity of Manganese Coating
The Manganese Phosphate Coating is often used due to their great ability to break in and wear resistance properties. Furthermore, the coating helps to prevent metal to metal contact in between moving parts and they possess great oil retentive abilities. As such, the Manganese phosphate is being used commonly as an undercoating which is called up by military for that equipment that would require oil or greased parts.
Another use of Manganese Phosphate is undercoating before the film lubricants are dried. Moreover, these coatings are truly effective when it comes to corrosion protection and typical parts that are being coated are Bearings, Gears, and Internal-combustion parts, Piston Rings, Camshafts, Cylinder Liners and Transmission Gears.