E-Preps

E-Prep B — Black Phosphate Finish for Steel

It is a liquid concentrate which is diluted with water and used as a black pre-dip prior to zinc phosphating steel with an EPI E-Phos phosphating solution. The black pre-dip becomes an integral part of the phosphate coating and will not rub off.

The oil absorptive zinc finish is an excellent base for the retention of an EPI E-Tec corrosion inhibitor which will provide a highly corrosion resistant black finish.

E-Prep B is a two component process. E-Prep B1 is the make-up concentrate and E-Prep B2 is the replenishment concentrate.

Operating Parameters

E-Prep BL-100 — Burnishing Liquid for All Metals

It is a very effective low foaming, burnishing liquid concentrate. It is safe on all metals. It is used to obtain a bright, clean surface on brass, copper, zinc diecast, steel and stainless steel during vibratory and rotating barrel burnishing.

It is free rinsing and leaves no tacky residual film. Parts burnished with E-Prep BL-100 will resist tarnishing for extended periods of time.

E-Prep BL-100 contains no solvents and is biodegradable.

Operating Parameters

E-Prep BL-110 — Burnishing Liquid

It is a low foaming liquid concentrate which is diluted with water. It is very effective when used in either vibratory or rotary barrel equipment.

It is free rinsing and leaves no tacky residual film. Parts burnished with E-Prep BL-110 will resist tarnishing for extended periods of time.

Operating Parameters

E-Prep 220 — Brass Activator

The salts are a dry, free-flowing mixture which is dissolved in water at a concentration of 1 pound per gallon. The alkaline solution is used at a boiling temperature of 220° F as a pre-dip prior to blackening brass surfaces with EPI’s Ultra-Blak 420 to ensure the formation of a uniform black oxide conversion finish on high zinc-brass surfaces (15-35% zinc alloyed copper).

E-Prep 221 — Stabilized Peroxide Bright Dip Process for Copper and Brass

It accelerates and stabilizes the brightening reaction, minimizes the breakdown of the peroxide and prevents retarnishing of brass and copper after brightening. E-Prep 221 does not contain Nitric or Chromic acids or chromates and is environmentally safe. It does not contain chelaters or complexers, simplifying waste treatment. E-Prep 221 is supplied as a liquid concentrate. E-Prep 222 is recommended for leaded brass.

Operation

Pre-Conditioning and scale removal
75% by volume in water
15% by volume concentrated Sulfuric Acid, 66° Be
10% by volume E-Prep 221
Temperature: 70°-80° F
Time: 1-2 minutes

Cold Water Rinse

Bright Dip
75% by volume water
10% by volume E-Prep 221
15% by volume Hydrogen Peroxide, 35% strength
Temperature: 110°-120° F for bright finish
Time: 1-2 minutes or longer for a bright finish depending upon the original surface.

E-Prep 222 — Stabilized Peroxide Bright Dip Process for Leaded Brass and Copper

It is a stabilized peroxide process which accelerates the brightening reaction, stops the breakdown of the peroxide and prevents retarnishing of the brass after brightening. E-Prep 222 does not contain Nitric or or Chromic acids or chromates and is environmentally safe. It does not contain chelaters or complexers, simplifying waste treatment. E-Prep 222 is supplied as a liquid concentrate.

The slide show below shows a demonstration of parts using our E-Prep 222 process.

E-Prep 222 is specifically designed to work on leaded brass and on tin/lead soldered areas where it offers a more uniform finish and minimized white powdery deposit of the insoluble lead onto the brass surface.

Operation

Preconditioning and scale removal
75% by volume in water
15% by volume concentrated Sulfuric Acid, 66° Be
10% by volume E-Prep 222
Temperature: 70°-80° F
Time: 1-2 minutes

Cold Water Rinse

Bright Dip
75% by volume water
10% by volume E-Prep 222
15% by volume Hydrogen Peroxide, 35% strength
Temperature: 110°-120° F
Time: 1-2 minutes

E-Prep 224 — An Additive for Stabilized Peroxide Bright Dips for Copper and Brass

A concentrated liquid accelerator, stabilizer and anti-tarnish that replenishes E-Prep 221 or can be used with sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide to customize your own bath.

E-Prep 224-LB — An Additive for Stabilized Peroxide Bright Dips for Leaded Brass and Copper

A concentrated liquid accelerator, stabilizer and anti-tarnish that replenishes E-Prep 222 or can be used with sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide to customize your own bath.

E-Prep 255 — Steel Surface Conditioner/Activator

A steel surface conditioner/activator used prior to <EPI’s Insta-Blak processes on hardened micro finished tool steels. It enhances the depth of black. It has limited light duty cleaning capabilities.

Liquid concentrate used at 10% by volume; tap water at 75-125° F.

E-Prep 258 — Steel Surface Conditioner/Activator

A universal steel surface conditioner and activator. It acts in the same manner as E-Prep 255 with the added advantage that it will eliminate smut from smutty steels such as bar stock. Liquid concentrate is used at 20% by volume in water at room temperature (65-80° F).

E-Prep 270 — Stainless Steel Chemical Brightening and Passivation

E-Prep 270M and E-Prep 270B are designed for the chemical brightening and passivation of 300 series stainless steel alloys and also other nickel bearing alloys, such as Inconel and Kovar. They produce a uniformly smooth finish with good specular reflectivity.

E-Prep 270M produces a matte finish, whereas E-Prep 270B is formulated to produce a relatively bright finish.

Unlike electropolishing, E-Prep 270M or E-Prep 270B chemical polishing eliminates the grain boundary attack and the danger of hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion. The products can find application in the aircraft, electronics and surgical implants industry.

Both E-Prep 270M and E-Prep 270B assure minimum metal loss during the brightening process and offer definite advantages over the Nitric/Hydrofluoric Acid based formulations which produce a rough finish. A metal removal rate of about 0.05 mil/min/side is achieved when brightening 300 series stainless steel with 2B finish.

E-Prep 270M and E-Prep 270B can remove heat treatment and welding scale. They are safe on silver and brass solder, but should not be used with tin or lead soldered stainless steel work.

Operating Parameters

E-Prep 280 NCZ – Non-Cyanide Zincate for Aluminum and its Alloys

Used as a surface preparatin prior to E-Brite 30/30 non-cyanide alkaline, copper plating, as well as other plating.