A conversion coating is an inorganic surface layer produced by chemical or electrochemical methods as a result of an artificially induced and controlled corrosion process.
Conversion coating
Level of innovation
Scale of production
mass
Technology readiness level TRL
Description of the technology
Purpose of use
change in mechanical properties – improved plasticity at the expense of strength
Industry usage
corrosion protection, cold working as a lubricant (phosphating), improvement of varnish/paint adhesion
Alternative technologies
- none
Visualisation of action
Advantages
- improved corrosion protection
- decorative effect
- improved paint adhesion
Disadvantages
- requires expensive equipment
Workpiece material types
- aluminum
- zinc
- copper
- steel
- magnesium
- tin
- silver
Examples of products
- structural steel components
- gratings
- frames
- rods
- garden tools (shovels; rakes; shears)
- bicycle frames
- metal furniture components (legs and handles)
- pipes
- valves
- weapon components (barrels and locks)
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- heat furnaces
Required competences
- on-the-job training
- knowledge of materials engineering
Environmental aspects
Water consumption
Energy consumption
Waste generated
Expert evaluation
Development centers
- AGH University of Krakow
- Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science of Polish Academy of Sciences
- Warsaw University of Technology
- Cracow University of Technology
- Łukasiewicz – Upper Silesian Institute of Technology
- Czestochowa University of Technology
Legal conditions
- none