Precision cleaning solvents
Published

Zinc Phosphate of Brazed Steel Parts

What is causing etching of tungsten carbide and copper alloy braze materials after zinc phosphating?

Share

Q. We often use a zinc phosphate treatment on our steel parts (corrosion protection for oilfield parts) and have recently tried doing so on a 4140 steel part that has tungsten carbide inserts brazed to the steel with a copper-based braze alloy. Both the tungsten carbide material and the braze material surfaces are badly etched after this process. Can I assume the copper (braze) and cobalt in the tungsten carbide are being attacked?—M.B.

A. The zinc phosphate process is primarily only applicable to ferrous substrates. There are a few exceptions, but this is generally the case. I know that the zinc phosphate process is not applicable to copper-based alloys. I do not have experience with the tungsten carbide material that you mentioned but would also expect that it would not be compatible with a zinc phosphate formulation. The acidic nature of the typical bath would probably tend to attack the carbide in this alloy.

 

Related Content

Echoflex modular ultrasonic cleaning machines
Cleaning questions ask Kyzen
Precision Cleaning Solvents
Pickelx one step metal prep
vacuum vapor degreasers
Cleaning Technologies Group
high-performance systems for efficient parts cleaning
New Acid-Free Bright Nickel Process
Precision cleaning solvents