Enhancing Aluminum Treatment: Optimizing Bath Life for Quality Assurance

In the process of aluminum cleaning, managing zincate drag-in and avoiding blistering issues is important for ensuring quality. A customer case study reveals a solution that balances quality maintenance and cost-effectiveness, highlighting the importance of improving treatment processes.

When a manufacturing customer consistently faced blistering concerns around the third metal turnover (MTO). Their innovative response was to draw a line: “We refresh our bath every two MTOs,” a decision they transformed into a customer-focused marketing strategy, emphasizing their commitment to superior quality over competitors.

However, financial realities eventually prompted a reassessment. Upon analysis by our team of experts, we found the cause of the blisters was an excessive use of zincate.

They adopted a modified “double zincate” technique, adjusting the duration of the zincate process to reduce drag-in. Initially overusing zincate during the second treatment, resulting in a visually dark coating, they refined the process by shortening the duration. This sacrifice in appearance extended their bath life significantly.

Six months later, equipped with the achieved zincate technique, they demonstrated to customers their three MTO dumping strategies, balancing quality assurance and operational efficiency. This approach maintained quality standards while underscoring their commitment to excellence.

This example demonstrates the importance of optimizing your processes. By modifying the zincate process, this company not only extended bath life but also highlighted its dedication to quality, maintaining its competitive edge.
 

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