March 2024 Issue
![March](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/issues/2024/03_2024PF_AA_Cover_WEB.jpg;maxWidth=250;quality=70)
March 2024
Digital Edition![Coatings Plant Evolves with Market Trends](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324-pf-feature-lippert-6-web.jpg;maxWidth=600;quality=70)
Features
Featured articles from the March 2024 issue of Products Finishing
![Choosing Paint for Fast-Paced, Extra Slip, High Temp Applications](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324pfliquidcliniccortec.jpeg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Choosing Paint for Fast-Paced, Extra Slip, High Temp Applications
Many industrial applications require coatings that not only offer corrosion resistance and aesthetics, but provide additional attributes such as heat resistance and quick drying properties. This helpful clinic offers a few examples.
Read More![Finishing activity contracted again in January, Closing at 45.5](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2024-01- PF - Web Total.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Finishing activity contracted again in January, Closing at 45.5
Finishing activity has shown encouraging signs the past two months, the longest ‘stretch’ since starting to contract in April 2023.
Read More![Indonesian Plater Finds Fast Success in Auto Market](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/0224-feature-macdermid-1.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Indonesian Plater Finds Fast Success in Auto Market
This father/son team, inspired by inventor Michael Faraday, focuses on anti-corrosion methods and automated processes to help their Indonesian plating business flourish.
Read More![Top Shop Aces Outstanding Customer Service](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324-pf-tsi-1.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Top Shop Aces Outstanding Customer Service
More than a finishing shop, this anodizing, powder coating and vacuum resin impregnating business goes above and beyond for its customers by being a resource for whatever their finishing needs might demand.
Read More![How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324-pf-platingclinic1.png;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium
There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.
Read More![10 Anodizing Best Practices](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324pfanodizecliniclr.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
10 Anodizing Best Practices
Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your anodizing operation.
Read More![Looking Back: The Columnists](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2324_Altmayer-Figure_2.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Looking Back: The Columnists
Many industrial/technical journals consist of a well-rounded mixture of technical papers, practical articles about technology and how-to-do-it features, including this one, Products Finishing. In its decades of publication, the AESF/NASF journal, Plating & Surface Finishing also endeavored to meet this need. Among the many features were those of the columnists, recognized experts who had expertise in certain segments of the surface finishing industry. This article contains a sampling of columns published in P&SF over the years, which still retain information of importance even today.
Read More![Practical Observations in Surface Chemistry and Boundary Layer Control to Enable Scalable Electrochemical Operation - The 57th William Blum Lecture](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2326figure6.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Practical Observations in Surface Chemistry and Boundary Layer Control to Enable Scalable Electrochemical Operation - The 57th William Blum Lecture
This paper is based on the 57th William Blum Memorial Lecture at SUR/FIN 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio on June 8, 2023, by Dr. Tim Hall, recipient of the 2023 NASF Scientific Achievement Award. It focuses on the practical effects of controlling the boundary and surface chemistry on a wide range of electrochemical applications. After a brief introduction to the concept and principles of surface and boundary layer properties during electrochemical processes, the use of this approach in controlling various physical properties during electroplating and electrochemical finishing is discussed, including controlling coating stress and metal composition, as well as enabling simple water-based electrolytes to polish passive or complex materials.
Read More![NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 8th Quarterly Report](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2401figure1.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 8th Quarterly Report
The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. This report covers the 8th quarter of work (October-December 2023, continuing work on 3D printing anode support for solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers. Work involved the effect of sintering temperature on the amount of porosity and grain size in 3D printed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
Read More![Selecting the Right Outdoor-Durable Powder Coating](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324-pf-feature3-powdercoatingopenerlr.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Selecting the Right Outdoor-Durable Powder Coating
The powder coating industry offers an array of chemistries to provide an excellent match to the manufacturer’s expectations for outdoor durability.
Read More![NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 10th Quarterly Report](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/PF/2024-PF/2325_Figure_2.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 10th Quarterly Report
The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project addressing the problem of PFAS and related chemicals in plating wastewater streams. This report covers the 10th quarter of work (April-June 2023). Here, we examine the effect of surface fluorination of Ti4O7 anodes on PFAS degradation performance in terms of energy performance as well as formation of chlorate and perchlorate when chloride is present in the solution. The full paper on this work can be accessed and printed at short.pfonline.com/NASF24Feb2.
Read More![Efficient, Innovative and Sustainable Component Cleaning for the Entire Production Chain](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0224pffeature4ecoclean1.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Efficient, Innovative and Sustainable Component Cleaning for the Entire Production Chain
Whether degreasing, classic component cleaning or high-purity applications — the demands on cleaning solutions have increased in all areas of the manufacturing industry.
Read More![Rework and Recoating Powder](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324pfpowderclinic.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Rework and Recoating Powder
Powder coating rework requires more than just recoating the part. Products Finishing columnist and powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert discusses proper steps that should be taken to ensure a quality finish.
Read More![Engineered Shaped Grain Abrasives Take Grinding Productivity to New Heights](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/03pffeature3razorstaropener.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Engineered Shaped Grain Abrasives Take Grinding Productivity to New Heights
Unique three-pointed curved grain approach offers advantages for tough grinding applications.
Read More![Workforce Education and the Future of the Industry](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/pf/2024-pf/0324-pf-fromtheeditor2.jpg;maxWidth=400;quality=70)
Workforce Education and the Future of the Industry
The future workforce is a top concern for industry leaders today and training those who will take the reins is imperative.
Read More