This is where it all began for MacDermid. In 1922, MacDermids’ founder, Archie MacDermid, developed the first of our now world-class cleaners for Brass. He and the company established a reputation for application know-how that even today is at the heart of our customer philosophy.

Anodex NP-2, the original MacDermid Enthone Brass cleaner, remains one of our top products along with a family of products specially developed to clean Brass and Copper Alloys with affecting the appearance of even the most highly polished surface.

Preatreatments and Final Finishes

Aluminum offers engineers a lightweight, electrically conductive material which is easy to machine and mold. It is often electroplated to improve the appearance and improve corrosion protection. Applications for plated aluminum include:

• Chromium plated aluminum (alloy) wheels
• Connectors for aerospace and military finished with either electroless nickel or zinc-nickel alloy
• Extrusion for construction finished with decorative coatings such as satin or dark chromium

Aluminum Preparation

1. Pre-clean in polishing compound remover Metex* SU 486
2. Soak clean in Metex S 1702
3. Anodic clean in Metex EN 1751
4. Acid dip in Metex M-629 Dry Acid Salt
5. Alkaline copper strike**
6. Alkaline copper plate in Cuprobrite 3
7. Pyrophosphate copper plate in Clepo SP
8. Bright acid copper plate in CuMac Optima
9. Nickel plate from the Elpelyt range

* Other cleaning systems may be recommended for the complete process sequence depending on component and soiling type. These are only given as a guideline.

** Where zinc base diecastings are plated in large numbers it is advisable that, even before alkaline copper plating, the diecastings be initially flash coppered in a copper ‘strike.’  The use of a copper ‘strike’ reduces the possibility of zinc contamination of the main copper solution.  Where an acid or pyrophosphate copper solution is employed, a preliminary cyanide copper flash is essential.