Explore the roles and limitations of cleaners, rust preventives, phosphating and passivation products in industrial processes.
Metal surface treatment agents are an important group of industrial chemicals used in automotive, electronics, aerospace and other sectors. They help improve surface performance and extend service life. This article introduces their definition, main categories, applications and development trends.
1. Definition
Metal surface treatment agents are chemicals used to treat metal surfaces. Depending on the product and process, they remove oils, rust or dirt, or help create a coating or treatment layer that improves corrosion resistance, wear performance or appearance. Degreasing, derusting, phosphating and rust prevention are among the preparation stages used before coating or service.
2. Main categories
Rust preventives
Rust preventives are used to protect metals from corrosion. Common types include water-based, oil-based, emulsified and vapour-phase products. Water-based products are applied from aqueous solutions; oil-based products form a covering that helps separate the metal from air and moisture. Their suitability depends on the storage conditions and the required protection period.
Cleaners
Cleaners remove oils and other contamination before coating or further treatment. They include alkaline and acidic systems. Alkaline formulations are selected by substrate and contamination, including compatible products for aluminium. Acidic cleaners can remove oxides and rust, subject to metal compatibility and process control. These systems are not interchangeable across all metals.
Phosphating agents
Phosphating agents form phosphate conversion layers, widely used on steel before coating. The conversion layer supports coating adhesion and corrosion performance as part of the complete coating system. Cleaning and rust removal must be provided by suitable preparation stages or a specifically designed combined product; phosphating should not be assumed to remove all oils and rust by itself.
Passivation agents
Passivation agents are used in substrate-specific treatment of metals such as stainless steel, aluminium and magnesium to improve corrosion resistance. The resulting surface chemistry and process depend on the metal and treatment system.
Other treatment chemicals
Other categories include rust removers, electropolishing chemicals and silane conversion treatments. Rust removers remove rust or oxides; a separate protective stage may still be necessary. Electropolishing is used to improve surface smoothness. Silane treatment creates a layer before coating. Environmental performance, wastewater requirements and cost must be assessed for the actual formulation and process rather than assumed from the technology name.
3. Industrial applications
Automotive
Surface treatment chemicals support corrosion protection, wear-related requirements and appearance for bodies, engines and other components. Examples include body pretreatment and phosphating of suitable components.
Electronics
Surface treatment supports corrosion protection and functional surface requirements in electronic manufacturing. The small features and complex service conditions of electronic components require product selection against the relevant specification.
Aerospace
Aerospace components have demanding surface performance requirements. Surface treatments can contribute to corrosion and wear performance, but products and processes must meet the applicable qualification and acceptance requirements. General application guidance does not establish aerospace approval.
4. Development trends
Environmental requirements and higher expectations for surface performance are driving development. Important directions include reducing pollution, improving process efficiency and energy use, and developing products for more demanding corrosion, wear and appearance requirements.
New materials, nanoscale technologies and intelligent process control may create further opportunities. Standardisation, specialised production and consistent quality are also important to reducing costs and supporting sustainable industrial development.
Metal surface treatment chemicals serve many industries. Continued development aims to provide practical, efficient solutions with improved environmental performance. This English edition clarifies the process boundaries described above; model-specific performance and safe use must be confirmed against technical documents and trials.
Revised on 6 November 2026 using original Qingyuan product documentation. Confirm processing conditions against model-specific TDS, SDS and trials.
Revision reference ↗ · Revision reference ↗ · Revision reference ↗