Composition for desmutting aluminum

摘要

This invention provides an improved composition and process for pretreatment of aluminum prior to electroplating. The invention is an aqueous composition comprised of an acid, an oxidizing agent, and, optionally, a halogenated compound. This composition is useful in a process that effectively removes smut that results from the etching step of the aluminum pretreatment process. Alternatively, the composition can be used in a process which combines the etch and desmut steps in Al pretreatment.