Highlighting Aero TMF’s Chem Film Capabilities
When parts leave our shop, we know they look good.
But at Aero TMF, that’s not enough. Because we’re not just in the business of aerospace metal finishing—we’re in the business of making parts that last.
That’s why we’ve perfected metal processing services like chem film.
How Chem Film Protects Your Parts
Chem film, or chemical film, is a chemical conversion coating that protects metals like aluminum from corrosion and provides a base for other metal finishing services.
The coating’s protective qualities may seem similar to anodize; however, unlike anodize, chem film allows aluminum to retain its conductivity and original dimensions.
Here are the top benefits of chem film:
Facilitates better adhesion of paints and adhesives
Prevents fingerprinting on soft metals like copper
Provides reliable electrical connection between parts
Leaves part dimensions unchanged due to its thin coating (0.25-1 μm)
Chem film is commonly used on aerospace parts like aircraft hulls and rudder systems because the treatment is highly effective and cost-efficient.
Understanding the Two Types of Chem Film
Aero TMF is capable of applying two types of chem film coatings. The degree of protection, electrical conductivity, and color vary depending on the type and class you choose.
All coatings adhere to MIL-DTL-5541 specifications.
Type 1 chem film conversion
Type 1 uses hexavalent chromium, a hazardous material. Parts coated with Type 1 are not RoHS compliant.
There are two classes to choose from:
Type 1, Class 1 provides maximum protection and appears gold.
Type 1, Class 3A is less protective but enables electric conductivity and can appear gold or clear, depending on customer preference.
Type 2 chem film conversion
Type 2 uses trivalent chromium, making it non-hazardous and easier to apply to parts. Unlike Type 1, the coating will always be clear.
There are two classes to choose from:
Type 2, Class 1 is a thick coating that provides maximum protection.
Type 2, Class 3A is thinner to enable superior electric conductivity but is less protective.
Specifying the type, class, and color on your order form positions us to deliver the part you’re expecting. When customers don’t clarify the type or color, we default to Type 1 with a gold coating.
Our 4-Step Chem Film Process
We’re meticulous about our chem film process—though, to be fair, we’re meticulous with all our metal processing services. Small mistakes can lead to wasted time and materials, so we follow our process to a T for every project. No exceptions.
Aero TMF’s chem film process consists of four steps:
Clean dirt, oil, and grease from parts to ensure complete coating.
Etch areas that the chem film should not be applied to, if any. (if allowed by customer)
Deoxidize parts to remove oxides, contaminants, and chemicals.
Coat parts via submersion in baths filled with a Type I or Type II solution.
The time spent on the chem film process varies depending on parts and types, but customers can expect each part to take an average of 2-10 minutes to be coated. Top-quality metal processing services
As a Nadcap-certified shop, our chem film processes have been rigorously evaluated by an industry auditor. We renewed our chemical processing certification in August and demonstrated our chem film process for the auditor, along with our other metal processing services.
Nadcap certification isn’t awarded to shops that meet the bare minimum requirements. The certification focuses on efficient processes and identifies ways we can improve. Working with a Nadcap-accredited shop like Aero TMF ensures parts have few errors and excellent results.
The Aero TMF Difference
We know high-quality parts aren’t enough—orders must be on time. Our chem film orders have a lead time of 1-3 days compared to other suppliers’ standard 7-day lead times. Aero TMF can provide a fast turnaround without compromising on quality.
What can we say? We don’t like to see our customers’ parts sitting on shelves.
With excellent metal processing services like chem film, we empower customers to return to Aero TMF again and again. But they’re not coming back for replacement parts.
Customers come to Aero TMF for parts that last.
