Phosphating is a chemical process for treating the surface of steel, where barely soluble metal-phosphate layers are formed on the base material. The layers created are porous, absorbent and suitable as a conversion layer for subsequent powder coating without further treatment.
The main applications of phosphating are:
- Corrosion protection in conjunction with organic coatings, such as paints and polymer films
- Facilitation of cold-forming processes, such as wire drawing and tube drawing, or deep drawing
- Corrosion protection in conjunction with oils and waxes
- Corrosion protection with no subsequent treatment
- Improving anti-friction properties, such as break-in, wear resistance, anti-galling and coefficient of friction
- Providing strong adhesion bonding for subsequent painting or other organic coating
