Chemical Processing

We offer a complete suite of Nadcap and AS9100 approved chemical processing services across the United States.

Valence technicians are experts in aerospace wet processes, ensuring a flawless finish on all your parts. We offer processing for various alloys, including aluminum, steel, titanium, and nickel-based alloys. Our alloys are made up of carefully combined elements to optimize toughness, corrosion resistance, and ductility.

With state of the art processing lines, we have the most diverse set of anodize capabilities which include tartaric-sulfuric anodize, boric-sulfuric anodize, chromic, and hard anodize. Our process ensures efficiency in a wide range of applications.

Valence also offers unique capabilities such as phosphoric-acid anodize and phosphate fluoride sol-gel for titanium. We are the leaders in chemical processing for Boeing and Lockheed, with unique processing approvals for other suppliers such as Airbus, Bombardier, and Safran. We continually serve and exceed the standards of the top names in the aerospace industry.

Chemical Processing Services

Anodizing

Type I Anodize:

Boric Anodize – Boric-Sulfuric Acid Anodize (BSAA) is an alternative to chromic acid anodize (CAA), that builds a thin-film anodic coating and provides corrosion protection and a mechanical bond. This is a chromated, environmentally friendly solution.
Tartaric Anodize – Tartaric-Sulfuric Anodize (TSA) is an alternative to chromic acid anodize (CAA), that builds a thin-film anodic coating and provides corrosion protection and a mechanical bond. This is a chromated, environmentally friendly solution – typically specified in Airbus programs like the A350.
Chromic Anodize – Chromic Acid Anodize (CAA) creates the thinnest anodic coating, while providing the same corrosion resistance as other types of anodization, such as boric or sulfuric.

Type II Anodize:

Sulfuric Anodize – Sulfuric Acid Anodize (SAA) is used when hardness and abrasion resistance is required on a part, and creates a surface that is harder than traditional chromic anodizing.

Type III Anodize:

Hardcoat Anodize – Hardcoat anodize is created as a sulfuric acid bath, but results in a much thicker surface anode coating than traditional sulfuric acid anodizing.

Phosphoric Anodize

Phosphoric Acid Anodize (PAA) is most commonly used in bonding applications, as it provides a superior porous surface for bonding to composites. It serves as a strong adhesive in high-humidity environments.

Chemical Film or Chem-Film

Chemical film or chem-film is also known as conversion coating. These coatings are used to repair anodized surfaces and prevent parts from corrosion.

Nital Etch

Nital etch is a solution of nitric acid and alcohol, used to etch metals. Nital etching is used to detect overtempering, improper carburization, and re-harding, as well as other manufacturing errors.

Passivate

Passivation is the process of creating an outer shield material for a part that helps inhibit future corrosion. Passivation can remove or prevent surface contamination.

Phosphate Fluoride

Phosphate fluoride coating is used to inhibit corrosion, improve paint adhesion and to reduce damage in metal to metal contact applications. In addition, phosphate fluoride can be used in etching solutions, namely for titanium.

Aluminum Etch

Aluminum etch is a process by which a thin layer of the surface is removed, prior to penetrant inspection, typically in caustic or alkaline baths or solutions. This enhances the identification of surface defects, prior to further processing.

Titanium Etch

Titanium is often etched prior to penetrant inspection using a variety of different acids, commonly hydrofluoric and or nitric acid. Titanium etching offers a variety of applications due to its lightweight, strength, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with other materials.

Zinc Phosphate

Zinc Phosphate is a conversion coating for steel and aluminum, comprised of phosphate salts and phosphoric acid. This coating resists corrosion and allows for adhesion.

Valence performs all of these services to the highest degree of care, with approvals for most prime and military specifications. Our products and services significantly enhance safety, long-term use, and consistency in the aerospace industry. View our specs here.

Start Chemical Processing

Chemical Processing Tank Sizes – Aluminum

Valence Eastman	L	Valence Wichita	L	Valence Grove	L	Valence Garden Grove	L	Valence Los Angeles	L	Valence Seattle	L	Valence Everett	L
Anodize - Boric Sulfuric	19.5'	Anodize - Boric Sulfuric	12'	Anodize - Boric Sulfuric	24'	Aluminum Etch (Pickle)	15'	Anodize - Boric Sulfuric	27'	Anodize - Boric Sulfuric	6'	Anodize - Boric Sulfuric	30'
Anodize Phosphoric (PAA)	8'	Anodize - Tartaric Sulfuric	12'	Anodize - Type I Chromic	24'	Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	11'	Anodize - Tartaric Sulfuric	27'	Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	6'	Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	12'
Anodize - Type I Chromic	19.5'	Anodize - Type I Chromic	12'	Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	24'	Anodize - Type III Hard Coat	11'	Anodize - Type I Chromic	27'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Bonderite 1200)	6'	Anodize - Type III Hard Coat	12'
Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	19.5'	Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	12'	Anodize - Type III Hard Coat	24'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Iridite 14-2)	11'	Anodize - Type II Sulfuric	27'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Bonderite 600)	6'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 600)	30'
Chemical Film - Type 1 (Chromicoat L25)	20'	Anodize - Type III Hard Coat	8'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 1200S)	24'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 1500)	10'	Anodize - Type III Hard Coat	27'
Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 1132)	touch up pen	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 1600)	12'	Chemical Film - Type 2 (Alodine 1500)	8'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 600)	5.5'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 1200S)	27'
Chemical Film - Type 2 (Chemeon TCPHF)	manual application					Chemical Film - Type 2 RoHS Compliant	42'	Chemical Film - Type 1 (Alodine 1500)	3'
						Chromate Treatment	2'

Chemical Processing Tank Sizes – Hard Metals

Valence Eastman	L	Valence Wichita	L	Valence Grove	L	Valence Garden Grove	L	Valence Los Angeles	L	Valence Seattle	L	Valence Everett	L
Passivation Type I, II, III	3'	Nital Etch	4'	Inconel Etch	3'	Passivation type ll	6'	Passivation Type II	6'	Passivate Type II	6'	Passivation Type II	12'
Passivation Type VI	4'	Passivation	4'	Passivation Type II, VI, VII, VIII	Call	Passivation type ll, Vl, Vll, Vlll	2'	Passivation Type VI	4'	Passivate Type VI	6'	Passivation Type VI	12
Titanium Etch (Pickle)	22'	Phosphate Fluoride	10'	Phosphate Fluoride	8'	Titanium Etch (Pickle)	2'	Phosphate Fluoride	10'	Phosphate Fluoride	4'
		Titanium Etch (Pickle)	10'	Titanium Etch (Pickle)	24'			Titanium Etch (Pickle)	27'	Titanium Etch (Pickle)	4'
		Zinc Phosphate	3'	Titanium Etch (Pickle)

NDT

Shot Peen + Blast

Chemical Processing

Plating

Painting + Spray Coatings

Other Services