An Aluminum Surface Cleaner is a chemical solution used to clean aluminum parts before processes such as painting, powder coating, anodizing, conversion coating, or assembly.
* Purpose of Aluminum Surface Cleaner
- It removes:
Oil and grease
Dirt and dust
Oxides and corrosion products
Fingerprints and handling marks
Polishing compounds and machining residues
A clean surface is essential for good coating adhesion, corrosion resistance, and appearance.
* Types of Aluminum Surface Cleaners
1. Alkaline Cleaners
pH: Typically 9–13
Remove oils, greases, and light dirt.
Often used as the first cleaning stage before pretreatment.
Must be carefully controlled because strong alkalinity can attack aluminum.
* Typical ingredients:
- Sodium metasilicate
Sodium carbonate
Surfactants
Chelating agents.
2. Acidic Cleaners
pH: Typically 1–5
Remove oxides, stains, and light corrosion.
Often used before chromate-free or conversion coating processes.
* Typical ingredients:
-Phosphoric acid
Nitric acid
Organic acids
Wetting agents
