Chemical Surface Treatment Plants
The design, manufacturing, supply and installation of automated Chemical Surface Treatment lines to the most demanding industries
Galvatek has a long history in supplying chemical process plants used in the manufacture of aero engine parts and components, as well as in other industrial applications.
Case Boeing: Anodizing and etching lines with NDT and effluent treatment
Pre-treatment, post-treatment, final coating and removal process variations
The use of chemical surface treatment can be categorised as follows:
- Pre-treatment prepares the parts for the actual plating process, such as degreasing or pickling
- Post-treatment finalises the plating process, such as passivation or colouring
- Changing the metal surface by chemical reaction and acting as the final coating, such as black oxidising (blackening), phosphating, chromating or passivation
- Paint or surface removal, such as etching, chemical milling or stripping
CompactLine for fast and easy installations
Galvatek’s etching and chemical milling plants for aircraft engine part manufacturers, as well as surface treatment lines for aluminium parts, are typically compact-sized plants, or “CompactLines”. Normally they have been supplied for the chemical pre-treatment or post-treatment of small- and medium-sized parts and components.
CompactLines are typically fast and easy to move and install, and they are designed to fit inside a sea container in just a few modules. They are delivered preassembled and tested at our manufacturer’s premises and brought to site ready to be installed, thereby minimising costs arising from disruption to production.
Optimal line placement in the production area with Candovent ventilation
The racking alternatives for Galvatek´s chemical surface treatment plants include hanging from specially designed jigs or drums for small parts. Automated lines with our Candovent ventilation system can be optimally positioned in terms of the production flow, as no separate enclosed area is needed. The Candovent ventilation system and Galcont automation system make Galvatek´s chemical surface treatment plants extremely environmental friendly, as well as easy and safe to use. Tank sizes are typically up to 2 meters in length, and the total single line footprint is 15-30 meters by 4-5 meters. The line height is typically up to 5 meters.
Chemical conversion coating (chemical film)
Conversion coating is a generic term referring to a coating produced by a chemical or electrochemical treatment of a metallic surface. Conversion coating covers the component with a superficial layer containing a compound of the metal. Conversion coating plants are divided into categories such as chromate conversion coating plants and steel conversion coating plants.
Black oxide coating plants
Black oxide conversion coating plants are typically used for ferrous alloys, but they can be used also for stainless steel, copper and brass, for example. Black oxide offers a matte black appearance and corrosion resistance with reasonable costs. The black oxide coating process usually ends with a post dip of either oil or wax to improve protection. Toolings, bearings and military firearms are typical examples of products with black oxide finishing.
Phosphating plants
Phosphating plants are divided into iron, zinc or manganese phosphating plants. The phosphating process is often used in automobile and heavy vehicle manufacturing for vehicle bodies, gears and camshafts. Iron and zinc phosphating equipment is also often used to create a good base for painting.
Aluminium chromate conversion coating plants
Chromate conversion coating plants are used to give aluminium components a good base for painting, corrosion resistance and in many cases colors like yellow, olive or black. Chromate conversion coating plants can create a standalone finish or a secondary post finish over a metal plating.
