PRODUCT REVIEWS Aluminium alkaline etching
Henkel ’ s Bonderite C-AK 24600 is designed to boost efficiency and sustainability in the alkaline etching of aluminium for architectural applications . “ Bonderite C-AK 24600 can save energy or increase etching performance , depending upon the system configuration . The user can either increase the etching rate while maintaining the same application temperature or reduce the temperature while maintaining the same etching performance ,” it told ISMR .
The first step in aluminium pretreatment is typically alkaline etching . This creates a rough surface to ensure adhesion and performance of the subsequent conversion coating . Traditionally , users achieve the highest etching performance at a higher temperature but consume a lot of energy . Henkel ’ s Bonderite C-AK 24600 enables the application temperature to be reduced by up to 7 ° C , depending upon the system configuration , while reportedly achieving the required etching rate . Conversely , the user can increase the etching rate at the same temperature .
“ Compared to standard products , the new etchant provides a 30 % higher etching rate at 43 ° C and a 17 % higher etching rate at 50 ° C in fresh baths . In older baths , the performance increase is 45 % at 43 ° C and 27 % at 50 ° C . This improved efficiency significantly reduces energy consumption and the CO₂ footprint . Based on a 7 ° C temperature reduction in the alkaline etching stage , this results in a saving of more than 0.5 tons of CO₂ in natural gas per cubic metre of bath ,” continued Henkel .
“ Bonderite C-AK 24600 shows how innovation in the chemical industry can help reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency in the production chain ,” added Cristina Acedo , Senior Product Development Manager , Henkel . “ We are enabling our customers to achieve their sustainability goals , such as energy savings , or , in other words , to achieve more with less . This was not possible with previously available products because they required a higher temperature to achieve the required performance .” n
MARCH 2025
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International Sheet Metal Review is published 10 times per year by IN2 Publishing Ltd , on behalf of Mack-Brooks Exhibitions Ltd . ( now RX ) © Mack-Brooks Exhibitions Limited .
Corner protection profiles
The new magnetic corner protection profiles from DURABLE offer more security . Installation , said DURABLE , is possible in seconds , with no tools required . The magnetic corners can be attached to various metal surfaces to help prevent injuries and damage .
“ The tried-and-tested corner protection profiles are now available in a practical magnetic version . They can be attached to metal surfaces in a flash without tools and offer reliable protection against sharp edges and corners ,” the manufacturer explained .
“ Suitable for changing areas of use and flexible applications , the protective profiles are available in rounded and rectangular shapes . They can be used for a wide range of applications as they are resistant to cold and heat and can withstand temperatures from -30 ° C to + 70 ° C . The standard length of the profiles is one metre ,” it concluded . n
www . durable . eu
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ISSN 1471-6542 While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this publication , Mack Brooks Exhibitions / RX , In2Publishing Ltd and the editor cannot accept liability for any statement or error contained herein . © ISMR 2025
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58 | ismr . net | ISMR March 2025