Tartaric Acid Anodising

Tartaric Sulphuric Anodising (TSA) AIPI 02-01-003, a replacement for Chromic Acid Anodising, provides superb corrosion protection and paint bonding properties for a wide range of aluminium alloys. TSA is becoming the standard for the Aerospace and Defence industries, replacing the environmentally unacceptable Chromic Acid Anodising.

There are some process issues which need to be addressed in terms of metal chelating in the subsequent waste water system and microbiological activity in both the TSA solution and water rinses post anodising.

• Microorganisms destabilise the chelates in the TSA Bath
• Bio-fouling in the rinsing process after TSA
• Waste water: poor metal precipitation and high COD-load cause breach of discharge limits

Fig. 1 – Fungal and Bacteria fouling on rinse tank walls

Fig. 2 – TSA solution filtration shows microbiological activity even in a high acid background

TSA Microbiological Contamination Control

Rinse tank walls offer a large surface area for microbiological slime films to grow. The Microspear ^TM UV system irradiates both the tank wall and the rinse water to maintain a clean environment for rinsing without the risk of particle contamination on the surface of high value aerospace components.

Micro-organisms establish themselves after several weeks of operation and start to build up a biological layer on the bath walls and the internal piping leading to a bio fouling of the TSA process.

A Microlight® – thin-film sanitation unit can control the bacteria and spore count, stabilising the TSA bath. All our Microlight® UV disinfection reactors use rotational flow. This guarantees high turbulence which prevents deposits and ensures thorough UV sterilisation as the liquid passes through the reactor.

Tartaric anodising solution ingredients are highly bioavailable and lead to strong bio-fouling, Belmar offer a cost effective solution with in tank UV disinfection combined with high intensity UV disinfection for TSA solution.