Metal Treatments Manufactured by Arcal
Alum-Surf-Prep
Description
Alum-Surf-Prep is an innovative chemical formulation designed specifically to clean, degrease and deoxidize all grades of aluminum. Alum-Surf-Prep is a heavy duty concentrate with strong mineral acids, grease cutting solvents, penetrants, aluminum surface conditioning agents, surfactants and solubilizing agents. When used at varying dilutions with water, it effectively removes oils, grease, grime, mill oil, stamp ink, and surface oxidation.
Alum-Surf-Prep is instant acting and prepares and conditions aluminum surfaces for any kind of processing such as anodizing, painting, welding, plating or conversion coating.
Properties
5 year shelf life when stored in a closed container.
Application Instructions
Dilute 1 part Alum-Surf-Prep with up to 10 parts water. Ideal concentration: 1 part concentrate with up to 5-10 parts water; however, the optimum concentration can be determined based on working conditions.
Fill steel tank lined with PVC or polypropylene, or heavy duty polyethylene with the required working solution.
Immerse aluminum objects into the solution for approximately 15-30 seconds or until uniform foam blanket appears on aluminum surface. Agitate solution or work pieces.
Remove pieces from solution and rinse thoroughly in rinse tank. Agitate/circulate rinse water for better cleaning.
Remove pieces from rinse tank and immerse in next operating solution such as anodizing, conversion coating, plating, or the final operation.
Documentation
Compound 302 Plus
Description
Compound 302 Plus is an innovative chemical formulation of gel-like consistency containing deoxidizing and surface active agents in addition to a passivating chemical to restore the unique properties that may be corrupted during the welding process. It effectively removes heat-tint, weld-burn, discoloration (including blueing) and rust from all grades of stainless steel.
Properties
Appearance and odor: Gel consistency with mineral acid undertone.
Specific gravity: 1.46
pH of 1% solution: 1 - 2
Fluorides: Yes
Application Instructions
Stir or shake well for uniform consistency.
Apply Compound 302 Plus onto the weldment, weld-burn, or heat-tinted area by acid brush or plastic spatula.
Leave it on for approximately 10 to 20 minutes; then rub with a stainless steel brush or piece of cloth in the direction of the grain on the surface.
Wipe with a wet sponge or use water rinse.
Repeat application if required.
Documentation
Compound 302
Description
Compound 302 is an innovative chemical formulation of paste-like consistency containing deoxidizing and surface active agents in addition to fine compounding materials. It effectively removes heat-discoloration, weld-burn, (including blueing) and rust from all grades of stainless steel. Compound 302 also works great to clean and deoxidize copper, brass and bronze.
Properties
Appearance and odor: Yellow paste with a pleasant odor with mineral acid undertone.
Specific gravity: 1.46
pH of 1% solution: 1 - 2
Fluorides: None
Application Instructions
Stir or shake well for uniform consistency.
Apply Compound 302 onto the weldment, weld-burn, or discolored area by acid brush or plastic spatula.
Leave it on for approximately 30 seconds to two minutes; then rub with a stainless steel brush or piece of cloth in the direction of the grain on the surface.
Wipe with a wet sponge or use water rinse. Some grades of stainless steel may tend to flash rust. To avoid this condition, neutralize the area being treated with an alkaline solution made with Sodium Carbonate or a solution of water and dish washing liquid.
Repeat application if required.
Documentation
Easy Pass
Description
Arcal Easy Pass is a new cleaner designed especially for stainless steel. It removes flash rust and contaminants (such as iron particles from wire wheels) which depassivate the stainless steel and make it susceptible to further corrosion. With proper use, Easy Pass not only leaves stainless steel surfaces free of contamination, but also rebuilds the stainless steel's own passive surface.
Easy Pass combines mild, chelating acid and a surface tension-lowering alcohol with a food-grade thickener. All components are biodegradable and present relatively little risk of injury to people or damage to machinery. Easy Pass balances the need for aggressive cleaning of the contamination with user safety. Easy Pass is mildly acidic. Users should minimize skin contact by use of rubber gloves. This product also contains less than 5% isopropanol (rubbing alcohol typically contains 70%), and may be an eye irritant, so goggles are recommended.
Properties
Chemical nature & appearance: Opaque, thickened, pourable solution.
Specific gravity: 1.02
Flash point: >195°
Water solubility: Soluble
Phosphates: None
Chelating agents: yes
Chromium: None
Application Instructions
For citric passivation according to ASTM A967 7.1.1.3, immerse the parts in Easy Pass or coat them with Easy Pass for at least 20 minutes at 70 – 120 degrees F. Rinse the parts immediately after removal from the solution. A dip in a dilute solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will neutralize any acid, but the final step should be a rinse with clear water. ASTM A 380 describes a similar approach in Table A2.1, Part III. (Nitric passivation is achieved by use of Arcal Passivator 666, H&M, or Compound 302 Plus using appropriate sections of ASTM A967 and/or A380.).
To remove flash rust, dip a brush (plastic or aluminum) or non-metallic scouring pad into the thick solution and gently scrub the rusted area using the brush or scouring pad. Easy Pass will loosen and suspend rust, dirt and light oily contamination.
Complete the procedure by flushing the area with plenty of water. Repeat if necessary.
The acid in Easy Pass may be neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. One pound of sodium bicarbonate will neutralize approximately 10 quarts of Easy Pass. Sodium bicarbonate may be dissolved in water and sprayed onto treated areas. After neutralization, the solution is safe for all types of plumbing.
Documentation
H&M
Description
Arcal H & M is an innovative chemical solution to remove heat tint, mill scale and welding discoloration and passivates all series of stainless steel, nickel alloys and copper-nickel alloys. Effectively works at room temperature removing surface oxidation, and eliminates time consuming manual wire brushing, grinding and buffing
Properties
Appearance and Odor: Clear solution with mild acid odor.
Specific gravity: 1.2
Flash Point: None
Solubility in water: Complete
pH of 1% solution: 1 - 2
Application Instructions
Dip & Rinse Method
Containers: plastic, polyethylene, PVC, or tanks lined with PVC or neoprene.
For best results use as is. However, depending on the type of cleaning required, 1 part H & M can be diluted up to 3 parts water.
Immerse pieces in the solution for about 10 - 20 minutes, depending on the surface contamination. Do not overload the working solution, as heat may be generated.
Remove pieces and rinse thoroughly with running water.
Neutralize possible acid residues in a mild alkaline solution or Arcal 163-A neutralizer.
Documentation
Passivator 666 & Passivator 666 TK
Description
Arcal's Passivator 666 was developed as a passivating agent for stainless steel, and to work at room temperature, and is also available in gel form; called Passivator 666 TK.
During forming, machining, tumbling, lapping and other processing operations, particles of iron may be embedded in or smeared on the surfaces of stainless steel components. If allowed to remain, the iron corrodes and often gives the appearance of large or small rust spots on the stainless steel. In order to prevent this condition, semi-finished or finished parts are given a passivation treatment.
This treatment, which consists of immersing or brushing the stainless steel parts with a solution of Arcal Passivator 666, dissolves the embedded or smeared iron, and restores the original corrosion resistant surface by forming a thin, transparent oxide film.
Properties
Chemical nature & appearance: Clear acid solution
Specific gravity: 1.16
Flash point: None
Water solubility: Soluble
Phosphates: None
Chelating agents: None
Chromium: None
Application Instructions
Dilute one part of Passivator #666 with up to two parts water.
For best results, use the Passivator as is.
Dip/immerse pieces or brush this solution onto the surface. The Passivator solution should be in contact for 10-30 minutes, depending on the dilution. The optimum solution temperature for effective Passivation is from room temperature, or up to 110 degrees F.
Remove pieces, then flush with water, and dry.
Documentation
Arcal’s Passivator 666:
Arcal’s Passivator 666 TK:
Stainless Steel Etch #12
Description
Arcal Stainless Steel Etch #12 is a new concept of stainless steel etchant concentrate used to etch stainless steel surfaces and parts for further fabrication such as brazing, rubberizing or resin coating.
This innovative product releases a specific amount of etch at a time and is stabilized for a specific etch rate. It produces a uniformly etched surface, providing an excellent basis for adhesion in brazing, rubberizing or resin coatings. Stainless Steel Etch #12 was designed for use at ambient temperatures; however, when used at a temperature range of 80° - 100°F, the etch rate is increased, speeding up the etching process.
Properties
Appearance and odor: Clear solution with mild odor
Specific gravity: 1.18
Flash point: None
Solubility in water: Complete
pH of 1% solution: 1-2
Application Instructions
Degrease and clean the stainless steel to be etched.
Keep the pieces immersed in Stainless Steel Etch #12 for 3-10 minutes depending on the finish and the etch rate desired.
Remove the pieces and flush with plenty of water.
Repeat the process or increase contact time if required.
Documentation
Steel Brite
Description
Arcal Steel Brite is a heavy duty deoxidizer, cleaner for stainless steel and regular steel. The acitive incredients in Steel Brite dissolve away rust as well as heat tint and weld burn, leaving a bright clean finish.
Properties
Appearance and Odor: Clear purple solution with mild acid odor.
Specific gravity: 1.04
Flash Point: None
Solubility in water: Complete
pH of 1% solution: 3 - 3.5
Application Instructions
Containers: plastic, polyethylene, PVC, or tanks lined with PVC or neoprene.
For best results use as is. However, depending on the type of cleaning required, 1 part Steel Brite can be diluted up to 10 parts water.
Immerse pieces in the solution for about 5 - 10 minutes, depending on the surface contamination.
Remove pieces and rinse thoroughly with running water.
Neutralize possible acid residues in a mild alkaline solution or Arcal 163-A neutralizer.
Documentation
Weld-O
Description
Arcal Weld-O is a ready-to-use X-Ray quality welding prep for aluminum and all grades of aluminum alloys. Weld-O is an innovative chemical formulation that consists of a blend of mineral acids, surface active and sequestering agents and degreasers.
Weld-O deoxidizes the surface instantly and conditions the surface for X-ray quality welding. The weld joint is cleaner and stronger. By using Weld-O, the need for wire brushing and other time consuming cleanup procedures are eliminated. A simple water rinse may be done but in many cases is not required.
Properties
Appearance: Clear pink solution with acid odor
Specific gravity: 1.1
Flash point: none
pH: 1 - 2
Solubility in water: Soluble
Biodegradable: Yes
Application Instructions
Do not dilute. Use Weld-O as is.
With an acid resistant brush such as a flux applicator, apply Weld-O to both sides of the area to be welded to assure a uniform weld joint and to eliminate migration and fusion of contaminants during welding. Leave it on for approximately 60 seconds or until a uniform foam blanket is noticed on the surface.
Wipe with a clean sponge or cloth. Then weld in your normal manner to obtain an X-ray quality weld.
Documentation
