META-KLEEN 14 is an alkaline cleaner added to water to produce an etching and cleaning solution for a wide variety of aluminum alloys. META-KLEEN 14 produces a fine uniform etch which makes the process ideal for etching aluminum prior to anodizing, chemical treatments, electroplating and electroless plating, and chemical milling. The absence of residual, slimy aluminum hydroxide ensures a cleaner surface for subsequent finishing operations and a uniform, rapid etch rate for chemical milling applications. The residue that does form namely, aluminum hydroxide, can be easily flushed from the sides of the tank. Therefore, no scale forms on the heating coils, tanks or fittings. META-KLEEN 14 is suitable for etching all aluminum alloys. The degree of etching varies with the composition of the aluminum alloy. For example, the etching of 2024 aluminum may be 50% greater than 1100 aluminum. However, in all cases the etching action is greater than that obtained with sodium hydroxide solutions of equal alkalinity.
