Welding tests performed with International Chemical Products, Inc.'s Picklex®20 by General Motors Corp.™ showed a 60% increase in weld strength, than their present welding process for spot welding (welding was performed on 30 pieces of steering parts, after applying the product). Additional welding tests (fillet welding) performed by Pittsburgh Testing Lab (now known as PSI), showed higher weld strengths (43% increase), including the welding performed on mill scale (showed higher strength than welding on bare metal). Welding was performed directly on the coated surface, because the coating is conductive in nature. Weld strength increased considerably, due to the fact that the welding is being performed on a zero-rust metal surface. Also, Picklex®20 has high temperature fusion characteristics, which also result in better bonding (the coating does not flake or burn off at high temperatures).

A Step Ahead
By traditional way of cleaning the metal surface, it is extremely hard to keep the metal surface absolutely rust-free before welding. This is because, right after cleaning and washing, the micro-rust starts forming immediately on the metal surface, over which the welding is usually performed, resulting in lower weld strength. When Picklex®20 is used, the metal surface is cleaned and coated at the same time and does not allow any rust to form on the surface before welding. Also, spraying and brushing Picklex®20 over the weld (after cleaning the weld surface properly), will provide a protective coating on the weld. Welding can also be performed on mill scale, after spraying and brushing Picklex®20, which completely converts the mill scale to a conductive metallurgical protective coating. The process with Picklex®20 does not form weld spatter. It minimizes labor, time, and costs for surface preparation before welding.

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aluminum pre-treatment, and metal surface preparation product.