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Surface Prep Products for Bonding

3M sol-gel surface pre-treatments for adhesive bonding of aluminum, steel, titanium, and composite structures. Non-chromated, water-based alternatives to traditional phosphoric acid anodizing — with equivalent or better bond performance.
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Coast-Line stocks both 3M™ Surface Pre-Treatment AC-130 and AC-131 — the aerospace industry’s leading sol-gel surface preparation systems. Both are non-chromated, water-based alternatives to traditional processes like phosphoric acid anodizing (PAA), sulfuric acid-sodium dichromate etchings, and Grit Blast Silane. Qualified to Boeing, Airbus, and major OEM specifications.

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Traditional Processes
Phosphoric Acid Anodizing (PAA)
Sulfuric acid-sodium dichromate etch
Grit Blast Silane (GBS)
Hazardous waste — special disposal
Requires heated tanks / facility
No field repair capability
VS
3M Sol-Gel (AC-130 / AC-131)
Water-based, non-chromated
Equivalent or better bond performance
35%+ reduction in labor time
Minimal hazardous waste
Ambient temperature cure
Field repair capable — reduces AOG time
Product 01 For Adhesive Bonding
3M™ Surface Pre-Treatment AC-130
High-performance sol-gel surface preparation for structural adhesive bonding of aluminum alloys, steel, titanium, and composites. The industry benchmark for metal-to-metal and composite-to-metal bond preparation — reducing process time by a minimum of 35% vs. PAA.
Structural Bonding Aluminum · Steel · Titanium Composites Non-Chromated BMS5-162 · BMS10-128
Description
AC-130 is a two-part, water-based sol-gel system designed to improve adhesion between metal and composite surfaces prior to bonding with aerospace-approved adhesives and primers. The chemical interaction between the substrate, AC-130, and the primer creates a durable, moisture-resistant bond that performs comparably to phosphoric acid anodizing (PAA) — without the hazardous waste, heated tank infrastructure, or special disposal requirements.

Applied by brush, spray, dip, or wipe. Cures under ambient conditions — no oven or autoclave required. Bond primer or adhesive must be applied within 24 hours of treatment application. Ideal for both production bonding and AOG field repair scenarios.
Key Benefits
Minimum 35% reduction in labor time vs. PAA, PACS, Grit Blast Silane, and PANTA processes
Allows multiple metallic substrates to be prepared with a single unified process
Ambient temperature cure — enables field repairs and reduces Aircraft on Ground (AOG) time
Mechanical performance comparable to PAA-prepared surfaces
Reduces hazardous waste — good alternative to acid paste etches and phosphoric acid containment systems
Qualified to BMS5-162, BMS10-128, and multiple OEM specifications
Technical Data
TypeTwo-part water-based sol-gel
SubstratesAluminum alloys, steel, titanium, composites
ApplicationBrush, spray, dip, or wipe
CureAmbient temperature — min. 60 min dry time
Open TimeApply primer/adhesive within 24 hrs
Chromate-FreeYes — non-chromated
SpecificationsBMS5-162, BMS10-128
Application Steps
1
Solvent clean the bond area to bare metal. Remove all coatings, adhesive residue, and contaminants.
2
Grit blast the bond region slightly larger than the bond area using alumina grit.
3
Apply AC-130 by brush, wipe, or dip. Keep surface wet for a minimum of 1 minute.
4
Drain and dry under ambient conditions for minimum 60 minutes.
5
Apply primer or adhesive within 24 hours. Keep surface clean during this window.
Available Kit Sizes
50 mL
Two-part kit
100 mL
Two-part kit
500 mL
Two-part kit
1 L
Two-part kit
Product 02 For Paint Adhesion
3M™ Surface Pre-Treatment AC-131
High-performance non-chromated sol-gel pre-treatment for aluminum, steel, and titanium alloys prior to painting with epoxy or polyurethane-based organic coatings. Qualified to multiple OEM specifications. Available in blue (BB) and clear (CB) versions.
Paint Adhesion Aluminum · Steel · Titanium Non-Chromated Blue (BB) or Clear (CB) Multiple OEM Specs
Description
AC-131 is a water-based, non-chromated sol-gel system that improves adhesion between metallic surfaces and epoxy or polyurethane-based organic coatings — meeting high-performance aircraft paint application requirements. It provides equivalent or better wet and dry adhesion performance vs. traditional conversion coatings in both OEM manufacturing and repair/repaint applications.

AC-131 is proven to significantly reduce rivet rash — the loss of paint at rivet heads on forward aircraft sections that occurs with inferior surface prep products. This protects against corrosion and maintains aircraft appearance over the service life. Available in blue (AC-131 BB) for visual verification of coverage, or clear (AC-131 CB) where no color indicator is needed. Applied by brush, dip, or spray, curing under ambient conditions.
Key Benefits
Equivalent or better wet and dry adhesion vs. traditional conversion coatings
Proven to significantly reduce rivet rash on forward aircraft sections
Non-chromated — reduces hazardous waste and associated handling costs
Significant water reduction during use vs. conventional processes
Total cost reduction compared to traditional conversion coating processes
Qualified to multiple customer specs across the aerospace industry
Available in blue (BB) for coverage confirmation or clear (CB) for invisible application
Technical Data
TypeWater-based non-chromated sol-gel
SubstratesAluminum, steel, titanium alloys
Compatible TopcoatsEpoxy & polyurethane-based coatings
ApplicationBrush, dip, or spray
CureAmbient temperature
Chromate-FreeYes — non-chromated
VersionsAC-131 BB (blue) / AC-131 CB (clear)
Primary Application
OEM Manufacturing — pre-paint surface prep on aluminum, steel, and titanium airframe components
Repair / Repaint — MRO and depot-level paint strip and repaint operations
Rivet Rash Prevention — forward aircraft sections where paint loss at rivet heads increases corrosion risk
Field Application — ambient cure allows AOG and on-wing applications without facility infrastructure
Version Selection
AC-131 BB · Blue
Blue color allows visual confirmation of complete surface coverage during application. Preferred for inspection-critical applications.
AC-131 CB · Clear
Clear version for applications where no color indicator is needed or where the treated surface must remain visually unchanged.
AC-130 vs AC-131 — Quick Reference
Property
AC-130
AC-131
Primary Use
Structural adhesive bonding
Paint / coating adhesion
Substrates
Al, steel, Ti, composites
Al, steel, Ti alloys
Compatible With
Epoxy adhesives & bond primers
Epoxy & polyurethane coatings
Format
Two-part kit
Single component (BB or CB)
Application Method
Brush, spray, dip, wipe
Brush, dip, spray
Cure
Ambient — 60 min min.
Ambient temperature

Why Source 3M Surface Pre-Treatments from Coast-Line?

Full Documentation

AS9120-certified distributor. Certificate of Conformance and specification compliance documentation available for every order.

Authorized 3M Distributor

Genuine 3M product with full lot traceability. Qualified to Boeing BMS and other OEM specs — not grey market product.

Application Support

Our team can help you select the right product and kit size for your process — structural bonding, painting, or AOG field repair.

AOG Ready

Small kit sizes available for same-day dispatch. We understand AOG situations — call us directly for urgent requirements.

Source Airtech Through Coast-Line.

Whether you need a single roll of bagging film or a complete program kit, our team can supply the full Airtech portfolio with fast turnaround and US-based technical support.

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