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Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Alloy Steps

-- Steady & Reliable Manufacturer --

The Science of Aluminum and Anti-Corrosion Treatment

These running boards are constructed primarily from 6061 and 6063 series Aluminum Alloy, specifically chosen for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and intrinsic corrosion resistance due to the naturally forming aluminum oxide layer. To further enhance this property, the step surface undergoes a specialized Hard Anodizing Process (Type III). This electrochemical treatment creates a dense, highly durable layer of aluminum oxide that is significantly thicker and more abrasion-resistant than standard anodizing.

The exposed steel components (e.g., mounting brackets, fasteners) are not simply zinc-plated but are coated with a high-performance barrier coating such as Geomet or Dacromet, followed by a heavy-duty, multi-stage powder coat. This combination ensures protection against galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals (aluminum and steel) and provides superior long-term resistance to harsh chemicals, including magnesium chloride and calcium chloride road salts, verified by passing 1500+ hours of continuous Salt Spray Testing (ASTM B117).

Engineered for Extreme Environments

Corrosion is the single greatest factor in the deterioration of undercarriage vehicle accessories, particularly in coastal, high-humidity, and winter road salt environments. Our Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Alloy Steps are a dedicated response to these challenges, designed to maintain structural integrity and aesthetic finish across a 5+ year service life in extreme conditions.

Bohai Auto Technology's quality ethos emphasizes durability. Our state-of-the-art testing facility is equipped to perform continuous salt fog and temperature cycling tests that validate the efficacy of our material and coating choices. By meticulously selecting the alloy temper and implementing multi-layer protective finishes, we deliver a product that offers maximum longevity and minimizes maintenance requirements for the end-user.

Key Application Areas

  • Coastal and Maritime Regions: Essential for areas with high atmospheric salinity (e.g., Southeast Asia, Florida, coastal Australia) where standard steel components quickly degrade.
  • Winter Road Salt Zones: Targeting regions like the US Midwest, Northeast, and Northern Europe, where de-icing agents are aggressively applied and lead to rapid vehicle undercarriage rust.
  • Off-Road and Heavy Mud Use: The dense, sealed surfaces prevent abrasive particles and high-moisture mud from penetrating the material.
  • Long-Life Fleet Vehicles: Preferred by commercial and utility fleets that require minimal downtime and maximum lifespan from their accessory investments.

Technical Parameters

Step Alloy Grade6061-T6 / 6063-T5 High-Strength Aluminum
Salt Spray Test Rating1500+ Hours (ASTM B117) - No Red Rust
Coating SystemE-Coat + Geomet/Dacromet + Powder Coat (Multi-layer)
Aluminum Surface FinishType III Hard Anodizing (Enhanced Abrasion Resistance)
Static Load Capacity Retention100% Load Retention Post Salt-Fog Exposure

FAQ: Corrosion Resistant Step Materials

  • Q: Why is a multi-layer coating necessary on the steel brackets?
  • A: A single coating (like powder coat) can be chipped or scratched, exposing the steel. The multi-layer system (E-Coat base, Geomet/Dacromet intermediate layer, Powder Coat final layer) ensures that if the top coat is compromised, the underlying layers still provide sacrificial and barrier protection against rust migration.
  • Q: How does this system prevent the aluminum from pitting or white oxidation?
  • A: The Type III Hard Anodizing chemically alters the surface, making it non-reactive to most road salts and pollutants. Regular maintenance (simple washing) is all that is required to prevent surface-level buildup that can cause aesthetic white oxidation over time.
  • Q: Are all the fasteners also corrosion resistant?
  • A: Yes, all structural fasteners included in the kit are specified as Grade 8.8 (or equivalent) and receive a high-performance coating (Dacromet/Geomet), matching the salt spray resistance of the main brackets.
  • Q: What is the warranted life against structural corrosion?
  • A: Due to the advanced coating process, we offer a substantial structural warranty against perforation corrosion (typically 5 years, depending on the distribution agreement), significantly longer than standard aftermarket products.

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Advanced Corrosion Mitigation Benefits

  • Galvanic Isolation Design: Critical interfaces between the aluminum step body and the steel brackets utilize specialized plastic or nylon washers/bushings to physically separate the dissimilar metals, preventing accelerated corrosion.
  • Sealed Motor Mechanism: The motor is housed in a hermetically sealed aluminum casing with IP67 rating, ensuring internal electronics remain completely dry and corrosion-free, regardless of water or salt exposure.
  • Drainage Channel Optimization: The step's design incorporates internal channels and drainage points to ensure water, brine, and melting snow do not accumulate within the structure, minimizing standing moisture exposure.
  • Abrasion Resistance: The hard anodized layer on the aluminum step plate offers exceptional scratch and chip resistance, preventing exposure of the raw material to corrosive elements.
  • Reduced Vehicle Weight: The primary use of high-strength aluminum significantly reduces the overall accessory weight compared to all-steel running boards, contributing minimally to vehicle mass.

Production Protocols for Coating Consistency

Maintaining corrosion resistance requires meticulous attention during the surface treatment stages.

    Pre-Treatment Protocol: Before coating, all steel components undergo a multi-stage cleaning and phosphate pre-treatment process (degreasing, rinsing, surface conversion) to ensure optimal adhesion of the E-coat and powder coat layers.
  • Automated Coating Line: The E-coating and powder coating applications are performed on automated lines with constant monitoring of bath concentration, voltage, and cure oven temperature to ensure consistent, repeatable coating quality across all batches.
  • Coating Thickness Measurement: Regular non-destructive testing (NDT) using eddy current or magnetic gauges is performed on sample parts from each batch to confirm the final coating thickness (typically 60−120 microns) is within specification.
  • Custom Specification Fulfillment: For clients with specific regional corrosion standards (e.g., Japanese market or extreme Northern European requirements), we offer advanced coating options such as Zinc-Nickel plating on steel components upon request.
Product Display

Deep Dive into Anti-Corrosion Material Specs

Detailed material specifications for ultimate environmental resilience.

about Bohai

R&D and manufacturing of mid-to-high-end SUV electric pedals.

Bohai Automotive Technology (Zhejiang Huzhou) Co., Ltd. was established in 2014. It is a technology-based enterprise specializing in R&D China Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Alloy Steps Manufacturers and Wholesale Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Alloy Steps Suppliers The company is located on the southern bank of the beautiful Taihu Lake in the hinterland of the Yangtze River Golden Triangle-Changxing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is about 150 kilometers away from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Suzhou, Wuxi and other large and medium cities.
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