ASTM D1732-03(2013)

1.1 These practices cover two classes of treatment for preparation of magnesium alloy surfaces for painting, as follows:

Class I—Chemical Treatments.

Class II—Anodic Treatments.

In general, the latter treatments are the more protective of the two classes. Mechanical (abrasive) treatments, solvent cleaning, alkaline solution treatments, and acid pickles not resulting in protective conversion coatings are suitable preliminary treatments only for metal to be exposed under mildly corrosive (indoor) exposures. When a high degree of corrosion protection and paint adhesion are desired, as in many outdoor environments, surface preparation by one of the above conversion-coat classes is necessary. The hexavalent chromium based methods given are not recommended as hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen.