Chromate Anodizing - Upstate Anodize

Chromate Conversion

Experience corrosion resistance and paint-ready performance for aluminum parts.

What is chromate conversion?

Chromate conversion is a chemical conversion coating for aluminum. Rather than building a thick oxide layer, the process chemically reacts with the metal surface to form a thin, protective film. That film helps reduce corrosion and improves coating adhesion, especially when parts will be painted afterward.

Upstate Anodize offers chromate conversion coating services in compliance with MIL-DTL-5541 for Type II, Class 1A and Class 3 applications and supports aluminum parts with the responsiveness, process discipline, and practical support manufacturers rely on.

Our chromatic conversion process offers:

Corrosion resistance to aluminum
An excellent primer base for paint
Hexavalent free
Compliance with ELV, RoHS, and WEEE
No dimensional change
A faint blue tint on the aluminum surface

Benefits of chromate conversion

Corrosion protection without buildup

Chromate conversion coatings are widely used because they improve corrosion resistance while remaining extremely thin.

For parts with tight tolerances, threaded features, mating surfaces, or precision-machined interfaces, that “no dimensional change” characteristic can be a major advantage.

Our chromate process has no dimensional effect on products.

Strong base for paint and secondary coatings

If your part will be primed or painted, chromate is often chosen because it promotes adhesion. Our team is committed to providing conversion coatings as a reliable pretreatment for paint systems.

Electrical conductivity options

For engineers balancing corrosion protection with electrical contact requirements, the coating class matters.

MIL-DTL-5541 Class 3 coatings are commonly specified where low electrical resistance is required, while Class 1A is generally selected for maximum corrosion protection.

Upstate offers both Class 1A and Class 3, giving you options based on part function.

Compliance-friendly processing

Our chromate offering is hexavalent free and compliant with ELV, RoHS, and WEEE initiatives, which can help manufacturers align finishing decisions with customer and regulatory requirements.

Technical Details

When considering chromate conversion, your team should evaluate more than corrosion protection alone. Explore these other important factors as you decide if chromate anodizing is right for your project.

Common Specifications

MIL DTL 5541F

Thickness

No dimensional change

Working Dimensions

56”L x 34”W x 38”D

Key Coating Characteristics

Corrosion Protection
Excellent Bonding for paint application

Need help choosing the right coating?

Our finishing specialists can help determine whether chromate conversion, Type III hardcoat anodizing is best for your application.

Why manufacturers choose Upstate Anodize

We bring 30+ years of anodizing experience to anodize, hardcoat, and chromate processing. We offer practical knowledge, quality-focused processing, and problem-solving support for aluminum parts.

Our experienced staff provides high quality, quick response, and swift standard delivery. We aren’t just a finishing partner that applies a coating. We protect your schedule, yield, and downstream assembly performance.

Upstate Anodize combines chromate capability with experience, quick communication, and a quality-first operating mindset to help manufacturers move from quote to coated parts with less friction.

In addition to chromate, we provide broader finishing capabilities that can simplify sourcing for manufacturers working across multiple aluminum part programs.

Type II anodize
Dyed anodize
Type III hardcoat
Dyed hardcoat
AnoMist
Custom masking
Blasting
Pickup and delivery in some areas

Need chromate conversion for your project?

Send your specification, alloy, part size, masking requirements, and finish class, and our team can review the best path forward.