Pioneer has developed special finishing systems to address shortcomings of competitive process offerings in the market. These proprietary finishes allow Pioneer to achieve unmatched coating performance while keeping the costs in line with other standard finishes. Each one of the special Proprietary finishes has been adopted by OEMs, and custom product manufacturers to allow their products to stand out in the marketplace with exceptional performance.
ARP Acid Etch™ is used for processing high silicon aluminum castings resulting in a leveled, fine grained, activated surface for subsequent chemical treatment.
This process chemically removes the silicon rich surface of the die casting which helps produce a more uniform, leveled surface for subsequent chemical treatments such as chromate or anodize. This process also promotes a deeper dye color to be achieved with the anodized coating and makes die cast parts more visually appealing.
Standard Specifications
MIL-A-8625 Type II (Class 1 & 2)
AMS 2471
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Improved Aesthetic
Improves Secondary Finishes
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Casting
Max Part Size
60” x 44” x 30”
CastGuard™ is a seal for anodized aluminum castings that offers enhanced corrosion protection.
Aluminum casting is one of the most popular methods used in mass production today. Unfortunately, this process promotes the migration of silicon particles to the surface of these castings. Silicon particles make it difficult to produce a uniform anodize coating of more than .0004”. Thus, corrosion protection and aesthetics are compromised.
Development experts engineered a diverse portfolio of finishes capable of satisfying a broad range of aluminum die cast finishing needs, including Pioneer’s proprietary CastGuard™ anodize seal.
Read our related article:
Maximum Corrosion Resistance for Aluminum Die Castings with Pioneer’s CastGuard™ Finish
Standard Specifications
Proprietary Process
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Corrosion Resistance
Promotes Adhesion of Subsequent Specialty Coatings & Adhesives
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Casting
Thickness
.0001- .0004” (Die Cast Aluminum)
100-400 uin.
.0001- .001″ (Poured Cast Aluminum)
100-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
156” x 60” x 32”
EnduraGuard™ is the latest breakthrough from Pioneer that provides extreme corrosion protection on aluminum castings and wrought alloys. Ask about EnduraGuard™ for extreme corrosion protection needs.
EnduraGuard™ provides the highest level of chemical and corrosion resistance of all the Pioneer anodize coatings. While EnduraGuard™ is suitable for all aluminum alloys, this process specifically improves aesthetics and corrosion resistance for aluminum cast parts.
Standard Specifications
Proprietary Process
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Corrosion Resistance
Extreme Corrosion Protection (i.e. Marine Environment)
Guards against Acid and Alkaline attacks
Color Consistency
Improves Secondary Finishes
*Results may vary depending upon alloy constituents of casting and environment conditions (description on bottom of chart)
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Thickness
.0001-.001”
100-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
55” x 36” x 23”
FrostKote™ is a unique pretreatment that creates a “frosted” appearance, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your parts. FrostKote™ is a lower cost alternative to mechanical blasting that hides mild scratches and minimizes the appearance of extrusion die lines.
Standard Specifications
MIL-A-8625
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Uniform Frosted Appearance
Eliminates the Need for Media Blasting
Can be Anodized Clear or Dyed
Low Reflectivity and Various Levels of “Frosted” Appearance Attainable
Available as Hard FrostKote™ for Demanding Wear Applications
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Max Part Size
156” x 60” x 32”
Surface Removal
Approximately .0015” per side
Medi-Black™ Anodize was developed as a solution to the medical industry’s challenges to increase sterilization performance and exceeds industry standard requirements.
Standard Specifications
Mil-A-8625 Type II, Class 2
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Increased Fade Resistance
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
6000, 3000 & 5000 series only
Not suitable for 7000, 2000 or castings
Thickness
.0004-.001”
400-1000 uin.
Max Part Size
36″ x 36” x 30”
NiCoTef®, another of Pioneer’s proprietary process brands, is an advanced electroless nickel composite coating which offers an extremely low coefficient of friction, high corrosion resistance and improved wear for a number of applications.
Standard Specifications
Proprietary Process
NI-2000
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Approved for food grade applications
Performance Benefits
Low Coefficient of Friction
Lubricity
Corrosion Resistance
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Stainless Steel
Brass
Steel
Copper
Bronze
Thickness
.0001-.005”
Max Part Size
43″ x 43″ x 35″
The Nituff® process allows aluminum to be used in applications where high levels of wear and corrosion resistance are enhanced with the penetration of PTFE.
After undergoing the Nituff® process, the properties of treated aluminum is transformed; the surface hardness becomes comparable to case-hardened steel and gains exceptional surface durability, high corrosion resistance, and a low coefficient of friction.
Standard Specifications
AMS 2482 Type I
NI-1000
NI-1000B
NI-8000
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Increased Surface Hardness
Lubricity
Corrosion Resistance
Low Coefficient of Friction
Strong Dielectric Properties
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Thickness
.0005-.003”
500-3000 uin.
Maximum thickness dependent on alloy
Max Part Size
68″ x 48″ x 28″
NorGuard™ is an electroless nickel plating that produces the best corrosion and stain resistance from our electroless nickel offerings. This process also yields good wear resistance.
Standard Specifications
ASTM B733
AMS 2404
NI-5000
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Approved for food grade applications
Performance Benefits
Corrosion Resistance
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Brass
Copper
Stainless Steel
Steel
Bronze
Thickness
.0001-.005”
100-5000 uin.
Tolerances
+/-.0001”
Max Part Size
30” x 144″ x 30”
NorKote I™ is Pioneer’s electroless nickel process that offers corrosion and wear resistance as well as lubricity in one single coating. This is the most common type of electroless nickel plating.
NorKote II™ process adding a post nickel PTFE surface treatment and bake for improved hardness, surface lubricity and wear resistance.
NorKote III™ process with mechanical pretreatment, PTFE surface treatment and bake to provide improved lubricity and wear resistance. This process produces a rough surface finish of 100-200 R.M.S.
Standard Specifications
ASTM B733
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Post Machining Unnecessary
Well-Suited for Salvage Work
Abrasion Resistance
Corrosion Resistance
Uniform Plating, No Edge Build Up
Lubricity
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Brass
Copper
Stainless Steel
Steel
Bronze
Thickness
.0001-.005”
100-5000 uin.
Tolerances
+/-.0001”
Max Part Size
30″ x 144″ x 30″
55″ x 35″ x 30″
NorLast™ offers the best wear protection of our electroless nickel finishes approaching the performance of ceramic coatings and hard chrome. This plating offers Rockwell C-60 performance without a post bake.
Standard Specifications
ASTM B733
RoHs, REACH, ELV and WEEE Compliant
Approved for food grade applications
Performance Benefits
Wear Resistance
Potential Replacement for Hard Chrome Plating
Surface Hardness
Increase Tooling Longevity 2.5 to 4 Times
Excellent corrosion resistance in high alkaline environments
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Brass
Copper
Stainless Steel
Steel
Bronze
Thickness
.0001-.005”
100-5000 uin.
Tolerances
+/-.0001”
Max Part Size
30″ x 144″ x 30″
55″ x 35″ x 30″
NorLube™ has the combined hardness of Electroless Nickel with the lubricity and non stick properties of PTFE. PTFE is evenly distributed throughout the plated deposit. As the plated surface wears, fresh particles of PTFE are exposed to maintain lubricity throughout the life of the coating.
Standard Specifications
Proprietary Process
RoHS, REACH, ELV & WEEE Compliant
Approved for indirect food contact
Performance Benefits
Low Coefficient of Friction
Lubricity
Corrosion Resistance
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Casting
Brass
Copper
Stainless Steel
Steel
Bronze
Thickness
.0001-.005”
100-5000 uin.
Tolerances
+/-.0001”
Max Part Size
43” x 43” x 35”
Optical Black® provides a solution to the optical industry’s challenge to absorb stray light and minimize outgassing seen by standard black anodize finishes. A reduction in outgassing minimizes potential interference to optical and electronic sensors.
Optical Black® absorbs light across a broad spectrum, from the infrared to ultraviolet, reducing stray light and increasing measurement accuracies. Standard dyed finishes break down in ultraviolet light and ‘outgas’ which interferes with optical properties reducing accuracy.
With applications in both Industrial Technology and Space Technology industries, Optical Black® has been engineered to provide significant performance enhancements. Discover more today!
Learn about Industrial Technology Solutions
Learn about Space Technology Solutions
Standard Specifications
Proprietary Process that meets Mil-A-8625, Type II Class 2
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Chemically More Stable for Lasers
Low Reflectivity
Absorbs Laser Beams w/ Wavelengths Outside the Visible Spectrum Not Effected by UV
Will Not Discolor Over Time
Retains its Absorptive Characteristics Over the Life of the Product
Optical Black™ Does Not Out-Gas or Cloud Sensitive Lenses
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
6000, 3000 & 5000 series only
Not suitable for 7000, 2000, castings or tool plate
Best performances achieved with high RA/roughened surface profile
Thickness
0.0009”–0.0014”
900–1400 uin.
Max Part Size
60″ x 44″ x 28″
Steri-Safe™ solves the problem of sterilization resilient anodizing for both high-temperature autoclave and low-temperature Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide environments.
Standard Specifications
Proprietary Process
Meets Mil-A-8625, Type II and Type III
RoHS, REACH, ELV, & WEEE Compliant
Performance Benefits
Improved aesthetics throughout sterilization lifecycles.
Robust performance in both hot and cold sterilization environments.
Improved durability and aesthetics for aluminum instrumentation.
At Pioneer, we employ our proprietary VA-100 high-speed vortex anodizing machines to perform vortex anodizing operations. The use of these machines allows us to establish hardcoat finishes with greater wear resistance in shorter periods of time compared to conventional hard anodizing methods. This process is particularly suitable for anodizing ring grooves and lands on automotive pistons and small areas of components in high volumes.
The Vortex Anodizing (VA-100) Offers
Anodizing 50-times faster than batch
Tolerances of +/-.0001 can be achieved with Pioneer’s Vortex Anodizing
Ideal for just-in–time Production
Very compact footprint
Low labor & operating costs
Each piston monitored for quality control
Uniform coating throughout groove
No racking – quick change fixtures
Low Ra capabilities
Over 140 Million pistons have been processed in North America with VA-100 machine solutions
Receptive Metals
Aluminum Alloy
