Coating Copper and Magnesium
Can electrocoat be used to coat copper and magnesium substrates? Do you know of any commercial applications using those metals?
Q. Can electrocoat be used to coat copper and magnesium substrates? Do you know of any commercial applications using those metals? T.M.
A. Yes, electrocoat can coat any conductive substrates. The most important process issue to consider when coating non-ferrous substrates is not the electrocoat process step but the pretreatment necessary ahead of the electrocoat bath. While phosphate pretreatments are typically used for steel and galvanized substrates, other very specialized pretreatments are used for metals such as magnesium, copper, aluminum, etc.
I know from personal experience that electrocoat has been used to coat magnesium vehicle valve covers and front ends. Electrocoat has also been used to coat cCopper heat exchangers and radiators for the commercial refrigeration and sports and recreational vehicles markets.
Related Content
-
Coatings Plant Evolves with Market Trends
Expanding its focus from exclusively serving the RV industry, one of this company’s stand-alone coatings plant has successfully extended its services to additional markets.
-
Curing Ecoat at Lower Temperatures
Recent innovations in ecoat technology allow for an expanded bake window to enable the curing of diverse substrates of varying thicknesses.
-
Top Shop Leader Focuses on Its People as Key to Success
Twin Cities job shop, Avtec, was named a Top Shop for the third time in 2022, due in no small part to its commitment not only to the work it produces but to those who produce it — its employees.
