Conversion coatings are among the most widely used metal pretreatment processes for surface treatment. Due to their cost-effectiveness, rapid application, excellent corrosion resistance, low resistivity, and compatibility with various organic coatings (such as primers and topcoats), these coatings play a critical role in industries such as automotive, metal packaging, construction, and aerospace. However, the compounds currently employed, such as chromium (both hexavalent and trivalent) for aluminum and phosphates for steel, have a significant environmental impact. Therefore, the primary goal of COMETA has been to develop and validate improved, REACH-compliant protective coatings for aluminum alloys, along with a method for identifying the presence of the conversion coating, as it is often challenging to verify whether the coating has been properly applied. The newly developed advanced conversion treatments aim to replace the current coatings and enhance existing alternatives, primarily by improving corrosion resistance and the adhesion between the substrate and organic paints.
CIDETEC’S role in the project:
CIDETEC Surface Engineering will contribute to the development of Cr-free conversion coatings containing inhibitors and will be responsible for optimizing and scaling up the process. Additionally, COMETA will assess the corrosion resistance of these conversion coatings and evaluate their adhesion compatibility with standard topcoats used in the aerospace sector.