Pickling

Brief technical description:

• Chemical treatment, for example of metallic materials, using suitable solutions. The pickling solutions are usually acids or alkalines that trigger surface abrasion via an etching process. This effect is frequently assisted via connection to a current, i.e. "electrolytic pickling". The method is usually used as a pre-treatment (activation) for galvanotechnical processes to remove old metal or oxide layers from the surface (e.g. scales).

Advantages:

• The roughening of the surface achieved with the pickling process improves the adhesion of subsequent coatings or adhesives. A more matt surface appearance can also be achieved in this way.
• Special application: caustic blueing of brass (Cu/Zn alloys):
• In this process, conversion layers of various copper compounds are formed on the surface of brass components by immersing them in an appropriate chemical dye solution. The surfaces appear dark blue and are less reflective.

Please note:

• The pickled component surface may be very prone to corrosion, depending on the base material, and subsequent treatment processes must be carefully coordinated. Depending on the pickling solution used, atomic hydrogen may be formed during the pickling process. Under unfavourable circumstances, this may diffuse into the component, making it brittle. This is known as hydrogen brittleness (with tempering being a possible countermeasure).

Area of utilisation:

• General pre-treatment for electroplating processes
• Fixing elements (screws, rivets, etc.)
• Optical industry (e.g. non-reflectiveness of easily scratched surfaces)