The Metals Lab at PCC Chemax performs all research, product development and technical service in metal cleaning, metal working, metal plating as well as textiles and HI&I.


This diverse laboratory specializes in emulsifiers, lubricant additives, corrosion inhibitors and solubilizers used in formulating straight oils, soluble oils, semi-synthetic and synthetic metal working fluids. Utilizing both Falex and
MicroTap instrumentation, lubricity data can be generated on a variety of metal substrates. This data is also used to derive coefficients of friction.

The cast iron chip test is used for screening our corrosion inhibitors which include amine borates and carboxylates as well as oil soluble and proprietary inhibitors. Our selection of inhibitors offers protection on ferrous substrates, soft metals as well as numerous alloys.
PCC Chemax is an industry leader in formulating emulsifier packages for traditional mineral oils as well as vegetable oils and PAO’s. Over thirty years of emulsifier experience have enabled us to offer specialty, multi-functional surfactants which are unique in the industry. Emulsions are formulated to meet customer requirements for stability and appearance as well as changing industry standards for acceptable chemical additives.
Many PCC Chemax customers have benefited from our ability to measure surface tensions on surfactants in a variety of builder packages at a wide temperature range. This data becomes the cornerstone for building an efficient cleaner system.
Additional foam test protocols and traditional cloud point determinations are critical in formulating cleaning additives which are functional and stable in highly alkaline or acid systems. Our custom hydrotropes are ideal for meeting the needs of moderate alkalinity systems while providing additional detergency properties to the cleaning bath.

Facing an ever changing environment of chemical accountability, PCC Chemax focuses on providing materials which offer performance, affordability and regulatory acceptance.


PCC Chemax currently offers over 350 surfactants to the metals industry.
Many of these materials are utilized in plating baths to provide LCD leveling and prevent HCD burn. In addition to electroplating additives, a specialty line of materials is available for electroless nickel plating.

The multifunctionality of surfactants enables our products to be used in household, textile and janitorial applications. A full line of detergent and wetting additives have applicability across a broad spectrum of industries. A wide range of Carbon chain lengths and alkoxylation provides versatile performance to our customers backed by the experience of our technical staff in determining the most functional and economical choice to suite individual customer needs.