[Milsurplus] MS Connector Shell color

[J. Forster]

I the WW II days, they were bare Al and some anti-galling lubricant was used o the
threads. Either later in the war or just after, the coating was changed to some kind
of Chromate finish (pale green or straw yellow..  Alodine), which was also conductive.
The OD came much later, AFAIK. BTW, anodize is insulating.

>From a Google hit:

Chromate Conversion (aka Alodine® or Iridite®) is a chemical  treatment process for
aluminum used to
 provide corrosion protection ...

. It is frequently used on electrical and electronic equipment because it provides
increased corrosion resistance while remaining electrically conductive.

Some years ago, I had to remove the Cadmium plating from some Deutsch connectors for a
space application.  We did it chemically with good results. I suspect that could be
done to the OD connectors as well, but have no personal knowledge of that. I agree
that mechanical removal is all but impossible.

-John



rertman at ix.netcom.com wrote:

> The modern OD finish is a conductive coating that makes electrical continuity with
> EMI backshells.  It's not just paint.  It's sort of a specialized stuff a bit like
> anodize and won't come off easily, if at all without ruining the connector.
>
> Dick