Norma di impiego

BONDERITE M-NT E
(known as Alodine NT-E)
NANO CERAMIC PROCESS FOR
CHROME-FREE CONVERSION COATING ON
ALUMINIUM, STEEL AND ZINC SURFACES

DESCRIPTION AND PROPERTIES

BONDERITE M-NT E is a chrome-free nano-ceramic pretreatment formulated for the conversion of

aluminum, steel and zinc surfaces.

The system is based on following liquid products:

BONDERITE M-NT E: make up and replenishing product

BONDERITE M-AD 700: pH adjuster product (if necessary)
BONDERITE M-NT 4830: make up and replenishing product (optional for architectural aluminium
treatment)

The treatment produces, on steel and zinc surfaces, a more compact and thin layer than iron
phosphate, and its corrosion resistance performance will generally be better than iron phosphate
conversion.
On aluminiun surfaces, BONDERITE M-NT E produces a colorless compact layer. When used in
combination with BONDERITE M-NT 4830 its corrosion resistance performance will generally be
equal to chromic conversion. Separated tank is suggested for architectural aluminium applications.

BONDERITE M-NT E is free of volatile organic components, phosphate, chromate, heavy metals, and
COD (when used without BONDERITE M-NT 4830); so it’s very environment compatible.

The standard process follow this steps:

1. Alkaline degreasing (preferentially done with a suitable alkaline cleaner

system).
2. Rinse (suitable continuous renewal).
3. Acid deoxidizing (option for architectural aluminum).
4. Rinse (option for architectural aluminum).
5. DI rinse (suitable continuous renewal).
6. Conversion with BONDERITE M-NT E (separated tank is suggested for architectural aluminum).
7. DI rinse (continuous renewal, beware to maintain conductivity
lower than 25 µS/cm).
8. Drying (110 ÷ 170°C for 10 ÷ 20 minutes).

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 BONDERITE M-NT E

APPLICATION

BONDERITE M-NT E is used in DI water solution for both immersion and spray application. The
treatment is followed by rinse with demineralized water. BONDERITE M-NT E pretreatment is
compatible with any painting finishing. We suggest to keep the following conditions:

Concentration:
BONDERITE M-NT E 4 ÷ 5%
BONDERITE M-NT 4830 (when used) 0.2 ÷ 0.8%
Temperature: max 40°C
Treatment time: 90 sec by dip
45 sec by spray
Pressure: 0.5 ÷1.5 bar
pH: 4.0 ÷ 5.5 (4.0 ÷5.0 if aluminium is treated)
Absorbance: >0.1 (typically 0.2 ÷ 0.4)
DOC (if BONDERITE M-NT 4830 is used): 60 ÷ 280 ppm O2

HENKEL Technical Service will suggest you treatment parameters and best use concentration at the
start up according to the type of plant and material to treat.

MAKE UP

The product must be diluted in DI water. For the preparation of a new bath, add the following products
for each 1000 l of final volume:

BONDERITE M-NT E 50 kg
BONDERITE M-NT 4830 2-8 kg (option for architectural aluminum)
BONDERITE M-AD 700 according to pH

Working procedure:

- Fill the tank with ¾ of the final volume with deionized water (DI water).
- Add BONDERITE M-NT E and BONDERITE M-NT 4830 (if necessary) and fulfill the tank with DI
water.
- Homogenize the bath and heat up to the working temperature.
- Make the control as descripted below.
- Adjust the pH to the working range or at the value Our Technical Service will advise with
BONDERITE M-AD 700.

BATH CONTROLS

BONDERITE M-NT E bath is controlled by determination of pH-value (kept constant during the bath
operation) and by determination of DOC value when BONDERITE M-NT 4830 is used. Additionally,
we recommend monitoring BONDERITE M-NT E bath by photometric measurement of zirconium
concentration.

pH

Take a sample of the bath and, if necessary, cool down to 20°C. Check the pH value using a fluoride
stable pH-meter standardized at pH 4 and pH 7. Keep the pH value ranging between 4.0 – 5.5 with
addition of BONDERITE M-NT E to decrease it and BONDERITE M-AD 700 to increase it.

- Addition of 5.8 l of BONDERITE M-NT E for each 1000 l of bath decreases approximately 0.1 of
pH
- Addition of 95 ml of BONDERITE M-AD 700 for each 1000 l of bath increases approximately
0.1 of pH

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Zirconium concentration

Take approximately 5 ml of bath and filter through 0.20 – 0,25 µm pore wide filter (material
specification: filter for vials in PVDF Millipore “SLGV-025-NB”).
Transfer exactly 1.0 ml of the filtrated bath into a 20 ml beaker equipped with a Teflon stirring bar. This
is the “sample”.
Transfer exactly 1.0 ml of DI water as blank solution into a second 20 ml beaker equipped with a
Teflon stirring bar. This is the “blank”.
Add exactly 1 ml of Titration Solution 1561 to both “sample” and “blank” solution. Then add exactly 2
ml Buffer Solution 4.7 to both “sample” and “blank” solution, mix and let rest for at least 5 minutes.
Add exactly 1.0 ml of Reagent Solution AT to both solutions and mix. The resulting solutions should
turn to an orange-red colour.

Transfer the “blank” solution into one of the plastic cells (1-cm path length) that came with the Hach
pocket colorimeter. Pour “sample” solution into a second plastic cell. Remove the instrument cap from
the pocket colorimeter, and insert the cell with the “blank” solution into the cell compartment with
notch-to-notch fit. Use the instrument cap as a light shield during measurements. Press the ZERO
key. The meter should read 0.00, otherwise press the ZERO key again.
Replace the “blank” cell with the “sample” cell, and cover the cell compartment with cap. Press the
READ key. Record the value as absorbance.
This value corresponds to the concentration of active component in BONDERITE M-NT E bath.

Maintain suggested working condition between 0.1 ÷ 0.55, to increase absorbance value of 0.06
points add approximately 10 l of BONDERITE M-NT E for each 1000 l of bath.

Note: For consistent and accurate results, check battery, clean and dry the outside of sample cells
before inserting them into the pocket colorimeter.

COD

BONDERITE M-NT 4830 concentration is checked by COD value determination. The analysis
requires the following equipment: DOC vials (range 25 ÷ 1500 ppm), heater, photometer.

Introduce 3 ml bath into a DOC vials. Put the vial into the heater for 2 hours at 148°C. Cool down to
room temperature and read the DOC (in O2 ppm) using the photometer.
BONDERITE M-NT 4830 concentration is given by:

% BONDERITE M-NT 4830 = ppm di O2

330

COD value must be kept in the correct range. For occasional corrections add 0.5 kg of BONDERITE
M-NT 4830 each 1000 l of bath and for each 15 ppm O2 needed.

REPLENISHMENT

Keep the concentration of BONDERITE M-NT E and BONDERITE M-NT 4830 (if used) as described
in the “BATH CONTROLS”.
Frequent controls and concentration adjustments are suggested in order to maintain the correct
operating values. Avoid adding significant quantities of BONDERITE M-NT E, BONDERITE M-NT
4830 and BONDERITE M-AD 700.

In order to avoid precipitations of active components we suggest executing additions in a part of the
tank with a high turbulence.

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 BONDERITE M-NT E

COATING WIEGHT DETERMINATION

Take a panel with a well-know surface (S in dm 2) in the application cycle. Pick up the panel before the
final drying phase and dry it with compressed air.
Then weigh the panel with an analytical scale and record the value (W1 in g). Immerse the panel in a
solution of 1 N Oxalic Acid (oxalic acid bi-hydrate 63 g/l) at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Then rinse the panel in DI water, dry it with compressed air and weigh again. Record the new value (W2
in g).
Coating weight in g/m2 is given by:

Coating weight (g/m2) = (W1-W2) x 100

S

It is advisable to maintain the coating weight value between 0,05 and 0,2 g/m2.

In alternative it is possible to measure Zirconium concentration after acid dissolution by Atomic

Absorption/ ICP or by Xrf gun.

PARTICULAR CAUTIONS

Slight differences in the product appearance do not affect its performances.

The tank of BONDERITE M-NT E bath should be made of stainless steel (AISI 304) or carbon steel
coated with anti-acid material (PVC, PP).
Spraying systems, pumps and heating facilities should be made of stainless steel (AISI 304).
The rest of the plant and the handling equipment should be made of aluminium, stainless steel (AISI 304)
or steel coated with anti-acid material (PVC, PP).

STORAGE

Store BONDERITE M-NT E in original containers at a temperature ranging +4°C and +40°C in a covered
place. If the product freezes or precipitates it is not suitable anymore and need to be discharged.

SAFETY/ECOLOGY

Before using BONDERITE M-FE G-3631 M read carefully the MSDS.

The working bath is slightly acid and contains complex fluorides; it may cause irritation and burn when
in contact with skin or eyes. We recommend using protective gloves/goggles.
The exhausted bath has to be treated on a specific waste water plant before discharging.

Parameters indicated in the present user instructions have general character and are not binding for a correct
management of the products.
HENKEL Technical Service will advise case by case the most suitable parameters at the moment of plant start-up and,
in case quality demands it, will modify them taking care of updating the values.

Henkel Italia S.r.l.

Adhesive Technologies Division
Via Don Minzoni, 1 - 20090 Caleppio Di Settala (Mi)
Tel. 02 95398.1 - Fax. 02 95398252

Rev. N.02 Date 25/11/2014

A.S.

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