The systems are designed on a three treatment-stage format. Only one stage may be required, dependent upon the final properties required.
Some stages are applicable in a general way with all alloys of a given metal or metals.
When developing a system, NCS considers only formulants that have little or no environmental impact. The little waste that may be generated is nonhazardous. A small amount of oxide may be removed in this stage, but generally the activators react quickly with the oxide and deposit a layer to which subsequent stages will bond. Treatment times are 30 seconds and longer and temperatures are ambient to 180 oF. Typically, pH is 2.7 to 3.5 and is the primary control measure during processing. These add to the corrosion protection provided by the activator and final seal.