Chromate conversion coatings, often applied using Alodine and similar chemical solutions, react with aluminum surfaces to form a thin protective layer that strengthens corrosion resistance, preserves electrical conductivity, and creates a paint ready surface for downstream coating and assembly jobs.
Chromate conversion coating tanks built to your engineering specifications and project requirements, from single tanks to complete multi-stage systems for aerospace, defense, and electronics. Polypropylene. Built in-house. Delivered nationwide.
Built for Chromate Conversion Applications
Alodine treatment tanks are built for chromate conversion applications: the chemical process that creates a protective layer on metal surfaces, typically aluminum. The task is fast and runs at ambient temperatures, but the process tank still has to be built correctly, sized for the parts, chemically compatible, and configured for the pre-clean, deoxidizing, rinse, and post-rinse stages that accompany Alodine treatment
For applications subject to standard MIL-DTL-5541 for aluminum chromate conversion coating in aerospace, defense, and electronics, the process and the equipment it runs on both need to be correctly specified and documented. Protank builds custom polypropylene Alodine treatment tanks made to your specific chemical workflow, the sizes of the parts handled, and line sequence, whether you need a single treatment tank or a complete multi-stage line.
This surface treatment is applied to improve specific properties of the metal and achieve measurable performance outcomes. Treatment goals:
Corrosion Resistance
Electrical Conductivity
EMI / RFI Shielding
Surface Preparation
Environmental Resistance
Alodine Treatment Is Rarely a Single Tank
Protank supplies complete multi-tank line configurations for pre-clean through post-rinse, sized and matched to work together as an integrated system.
Pre-Clean
Deoxidize
Rinse
Alodine Treatment
Post-Rinse
Where Alodine Treatment Gets Specified
Protank's custom Alodine treatment tanks are built to match the different needs of industries and businesses with a custom fit solution that meets the highest performance standards.
Aerospace
Electronics
Military & Defense
Maritime & Naval
Automotive
Renewable Energy
Construction & Architecture
Industrial Machinery
Rail & Public Transportation
Built to Your Specs
The following are common customization options for Protank's Alodine treatment tanks. This list is not exhaustive. If you need an option or service not listed below, contact us. We can likely accommodate your request or help find an alternative solution.
Material Options
Polypropylene: Known for its excellent chemical compatibility, physical tolerance, abrasion resistance, and high working temperature rating, polypropylene is our standard fabrication option for custom tanks and is well suited to Alodine applications, including trivalent (Cr(III)) and most hexavalent (Cr(VI)) chromate conversion solutions. Available in both homopolymer (PP-H) and copolymer (PP-C). Weldable from 3/16" to 1" sheet.
PVDF (Kynar): For concentrated hexavalent chromate or high temperature baths where the oxidizing load exceeds PP capability, PVDF is recommended for handling strong oxidizers, aggressive acids, and high purity applications that PP, PVC, CPVC, and HDPE are unsuitable.
HDPE and FRP: For applications involving additional chemicals, additives, or mixtures where polypropylene is unsuitable, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) are available. Stock HDPE tanks are also available for clients who need polyethylene compatibility and customize their own.
Fitting Materials: Fittings, gaskets, valves, and other connection components are available in PVC, CPVC, PVDF, EPDM, FKM/Viton, stainless steel, and more depending on part type.
System Designs
Trivalent or hexavalent chromate: Polypropylene is compatible with both Type I hexavalent (Cr(VI)) and Type II trivalent (Cr(III)) chromate conversion solutions. Tank designs differ between the two. Cr(VI) processing requires fume containment provisions, exhaust connections, and scrubber system integration that Cr(III) systems typically do not.
Modular configurations: Customize with a modular design that matches single tank setups or multiple interconnected tanks to achieve the right level of efficiency and processing. A modular design supports future flexibility and scalability by accommodating growth or work adjustments without requiring full replacements.
Agitation Systems
Agitation, including air sparging, pump circulation, and ultrasonic, ensures uniform chemical contact across part surfaces for consistent coating quality and repeatable results. Tanks can be fitted with various pipes, valves, pumps, baffles, and installation placeholders appropriate for your specific agitation method and volume.
Tank Fittings & Equipment
Equip your tanks with fittings, valves, plugs, pumps, and sensors to meet specific workflow and compatibility needs. Tank components are available in a full range of sizes, materials, and types to meet your exact requirements.
- Heat tracing for temperature maintenance control in heated bath applications
- Tank insulation to maintain solution conditions and reduce energy consumption
- Fume scrubber connections and systems for chromate vapor and fume control in compliance with OSHA and EPA air quality standards
- Forklift pockets integrated into the base design for large or frequently relocated tanks
Custom Dimensions
Part-driven sizing: Alodine treatment tank dimensions are typically determined by the size of the parts being processed. Protank can build to accommodate components from small precision parts up to large structural assemblies—tell us your largest workpiece, your specs, and we'll build your tank around it.
- Capacity from compact tanks to large systems holding several thousands of gallons
- Cylindrical, rectangular, or entirely custom shapes to fit your space and operating needs
- Closed tank, open top, or open top with a hinged or fully removable lid
- Reinforced wall thickness to handle high-stress and heavy liquid load applications
Structural Reinforcement
External reinforcement: For large capacity baths, tall sidewalls, or tanks carrying heavy liquid loads, external structural reinforcement is available, including steel box section or I-beam framing PP encased, tank integrated during fabrication for added rigidity and load support beyond wall thickness alone, while keeping metal surfaces isolated as need.
Per-spec add-in: Integrated reinforcement according to your job's parameters: dimensions, load conditions, and placement. Protank builds the reinforced vessel to spec; structural load calculations and engineering sign-off remain with your team or engineer.
Modern Options to Improve Workflows, Results & Safety
Protank's custom fabricated alodine treatment tanks can be equipped with modern options to improve workflows, results, and safety during regular onsite activities.
Why We Build It Better
In-House Fabrication
Every tank is built at Protank's own facility by our experienced fabrication team. This means direct quality control, consistent workmanship, and faster lead times on every project.
Standards & Compliance Support
Tanks can be engineered to support regulated chromate conversion coating requirements for defense and aerospace applications, with material traceability and quality control documentation available on request.
Process Chemistry Expertise
Protank reviews your specific chemical needs—whether trivalent or hexavalent, heated or ambient, single or multi stage—before approving materials and configurations.
Complete Line Capability
Protank can supply full multi tank processing line configurations: pre-clean, deox, rinse, Alodine treatment, and post-rinse tanks built to work together as a system.
Nationwide Delivery
We ship complete custom made tank systems across the continental US, from our facilities to both coasts, with end-to-end support from consult through delivery.
20+ Years of Expertise
Two decades of custom tank fabrication across industries—automotive, aerospace, food processing, electronics, defense, and more—built for demanding surface treatment applications nationwide.
Have Protank Build Your Custom Alodine Tank Today
Every alodine treatment tank Protank builds is made according to your business, your part sizes, and your process workflows. Send us your specs, and we'll get back to you in one to three business days.
Looking for a custom Alodine treatment tank fully specialized to your business needs? Protank is here to help.
1-3 business day response commitment. Share your part dimensions, tank layout, chemical type (Cr(III) or Cr(VI)), added components, total stages, and any other requirements, and we'll follow up with you with a quote or for more info if needed. All inquiries are confidential.
Need a tank sooner? Protank also offers a full line of stock open top and industrial poly tanks available for immediate order. Browse stock tanks →