Henkel has been working for many years on replacing hexavalent chromium compounds (CR VI) in the treatment of metal surfaces with alternative processes and has a broad portfolio of high-quality conversion products. In addition, the company is focusing on simplifying the conversion processes, which are to be reduced to as few active process steps as possible.

"The market for aluminum parts is growing continuously because demand is increasing, particularly in the areas of electromobility and architecture," says Raul Hernandez, Business Development Manager Functional Coatings at Henkel for Western Europe. "At the same time, aluminum surface finishers are increasingly striving to reduce the impact of their processes and products on the environment. Our innovative surface pretreatment technologies combine first-class conversion results with outstanding sustainability."

The latest developments in this area include the following products in particular: Bonderite C-IC 65001, Bonderite M-NT 2040 R9 and Bonderite M-NT 65000, specially developed for a wide range of new aluminum applications in the aerospace, automotive, rail, architecture, agriculture, furniture and lighting industries.

All three products ensure stable and safe processes, meet the important quality standards of Qualicoat and GSB for aluminum components in architecture and are considered the most sustainable options on the market.

• Bonderite C-IC 65001 closes a product gap in the field of acidic pickling, decapping and/or neutralization of aluminium surfaces prior to coating. In addition to the available single-component and non-toxic two-component products that require labeling, more and more customers want a suitable single-component alternative that meets stricter health, safety and environmental protection requirements with comparable performance.
  
  The newly developed Bonderite C-IC 65001 from Henkel meets these requirements: As a label-free single-component product, it has the same properties as existing products in terms of bath preparation, treatment time and pickling removal and can therefore directly replace them. The new product reduces the risks for users and simplifies transportation and storage. In addition, it offers high and stable pickling removal rates even with up to 6 g/L of dissolved aluminum and can reduce consumption by around 50 percent compared to the single-component predecessor product.
  
• Bonderite M-NT 2040 R9 is the immediate chromium-free and label-free alternative to yellow and green chromate processes in conversion treatment, as no changes are required in the pre-treatment line when switching to this product. In addition, it allows pickling, degreasing and passivation in one common process step, which minimizes the required number of process baths and rinsing steps and thus reduces the length of the pretreatment. In some cases, the typical deionized rinse prior to conversion can be replaced by a conventional tap water rinse.
  
  In combination with a surfactant, Bonderite M-NT 2040 R9 can be used as a degreasing pickling passivation, eliminating the need for a separate degreasing step. The product creates a thin film on substrates that is ideal for subsequent coatings or gives uncoated aluminum parts a durable, hard-wearing surface with excellent welding and bonding properties that can withstand months of storage. The technology has been continuously developed in recent years and is characterized by significantly reduced energy, water and waste water costs. It is also suitable for multi-metal lines.
  
• Originally developed for aluminum alloys in the aerospace industry, Bonderite M-NT 65000 sets new standards in terms of corrosion protection, paint adhesion and low electrical surface resistance. As a REACh-compliant, hexachrome-free conversion product that does not require labeling, it offers a practical, efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional chromium VI-based aluminum surface treatments.
  
  Bonderite M-NT 65000 can be used with standard equipment and requires no filtration or post-treatment. In addition to outstanding corrosion protection results, the product creates a visible conversion layer that enables quick quality checks.