Chromate conversion coating

Chromate conversion coating or alodine coating is a type of conversion coating used to passivate steel, aluminium, zinc, cadmium, copper, silver, titanium, magnesium, and tin alloys.: p.1265  The coating serves as a corrosion inhibitor, as a primer to improve the adherence of paints and adhesives, as a decorative finish, or to preserve electrical conductivity. It also provides some resistance to abrasion and light chemical attack (such as dirty fingers) on soft metals.

Not to be confused with Chrome plating or Diffusion hardening.

Chromate conversion coatings are commonly applied to items such as screws, hardware and tools. They usually impart a distinctively iridescent, greenish-yellow color to otherwise white or gray metals. The coating has a complex composition including chromium salts, and a complex structure.

The process is sometimes called alodine coating, a term used specifically in reference to the trademarked Alodine process of Henkel Surface Technologies.

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