Chemical phosphating potion

31 Jul.,2025

Application: Pre-painting treatment for automobiles, home appliances, hardware, etc.

 

Author: Robby


(1) Zinc phosphating (most commonly used)
Application: Pre-painting treatment for automobiles, home appliances, hardware, etc.
Composition of the potion:

Ingredient                                                                                                     Function
Zinc dihydrogen phosphate (Zn(H₂PO₄)₂)                                                  Provides Zn²⁺ and PO₄³- to form a zinc phosphate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂-4H₂O) film.
Nitrates (NaNO₃, Zn(NO₃)₂)                                                                        Oxidising agents, accelerating the phosphating reaction and refining the crystals.
Nickel salts (Ni²⁺) or manganese salts (Mn²⁺)                                               Improve the corrosion resistance of the film and improve the crystalline structure.
Fluoride (NaF, Na₃AlF₆)                                                                                Promotes the reaction of hard-to-phosphatise metals such as aluminium and galvanised sheet metal.
Surfactant                                                                                                     Wets the metal surface and improves film uniformity.


Typical formulation (example)

Zinc dihydrogen phosphate (30~50 g/L)

Zinc nitrate (80~120 g/L)

Sodium fluoride (1~3 g/L)

Nickel salt (0.5~2 g/L)

pH 2.5~3.5, temperature 35~50°C

(2) Manganese phosphating
Application: Wear-resistant parts (e.g. bearings, gears).
Composition of the potion:

Ingredient                                                                                                      Function
Manganese dihydrogen phosphate (Mn(H₂PO₄)₂)                                       Forms manganese phosphate (Mn₃(PO₄)₂-3H₂O) film with high hardness.
Manganese nitrate (Mn(NO₃)₂)                                                                     Promotes film formation and improves wear resistance.
Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄)                                                                               Regulates free acidity and controls reaction rate.


Typical formula (example):

Manganese dihydrogen phosphate (30~50 g/L)

Manganese nitrate (10~20 g/L)

Phosphoric acid (adjust free acidity)

pH 2.0~3.0, temperature 80~95℃ (heating required)

(3) Iron phosphating (light phosphating)
Application: low-cost rust prevention, painting substrates (e.g., electrical appliance shells).
Composition of the potion:

Ingredient                                                                                                       Function
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄)                                                  Formation of iron phosphate (FePO₄) film, film thin and porous.
Oxidising agent (sodium chlorate NaClO₃)                                                   Accelerates the reaction and improves the densification of the film.


Typical formulation (example):

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate (10~30 g/L)

Sodium chlorate (1~5 g/L)

pH 3.5~5.0, temperature 40~60°C