MMS Blog
Touching Up: Selective Brush Plating in the Field
Selective brush plating is much more than just a touch-up repair process. Hundreds of applications are using the selective brush plating process to provide surface enhancement coatings to aircraft OEM applications.
Read MorePutting a Lid on Tanks
KCH Engineered Systems says tank covers reduce overall exhaust requirements, fugitive emissions, heat loss and evaporation rates, energy consumption and calculated surface area for exhaust rates.
Read MoreTumbling to the Finish
The Flow-Clad system of coating smaller parts at higher production rates uses a tumbling method not usually found in many custom coaters. “I just don’t think too many people even know that this process exists,” says president Bob Zimmerli. “It will definitely save them money. It’s just getting the customer to understand what we can do for them.”
Read MoreGas vs. Electric Ovens
What are the pros and cons for using gas or electric to heat a typical automotive supplier curing oven?
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Corrosion Resistance Mechanism of a Chromium-Free Zinc-Flake Coating Film on Scratched Areas -
Chromium-free zinc flake coatings (zinc-rich paint) are used for automotive parts and construction parts, etc. that require a high degree of corrosion protection. The demand for this process is extremely high due in part to its being an environmentally-friendly, chromium-free process. Currently, the automotive industry and others are looking for this type of coating which exhibits superior performance. In 2008, we studied the high corrosion resistance mechanism of the chromium-free zinc flake coating film using polarization curves. Currently, we are working on studying this mechanism in greater detail, focusing on how corrosion is controlled, even on areas that are scratched.
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AESF Foundation Educational Opportunities
AESF Foundation offers a variety of educational training options.
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Pollution Control and the Plating Industry
A metal finishing consultant looks at the present state of affairs in a dynamic, constantly changing and increasingly controversial area - pollution control in the plating industry. The social, political, economic and technological aspects of the problem are all considered.
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NASF Government & Industry Affairs Update
New EPA Risk Assessment on Chromium: On September 30, 2010, EPA issued a new Cr6 draft health assessment, which is now pending.
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Cobalt-Free Technology for Trivalent Chromates on Zinc Plating
Corrosion and appearance requirements for plated steel parts continue to increase, while at the same time ever more restrictive environmental regulations are being put into place. As if these hurdles are not challenging enough for both process suppliers and applicators, there exists the compelling directive to reduce costs. Much of this is initially introduced by the European automotive industry, but then quickly spreads to automakers worldwide and to most other industries. In the field of zinc plating, the focus is on the protective conversion coatings and top coats that are applied to the zinc deposit. This paper examines the advantages of new cobalt-free technology as well as what is on the horizon regarding future requirements and regulations for zinc plating.
Read MoreAntimicrobial coatings: Billion Dollar Bugs
Antimicrobial coatings are starting to make an even bigger entry into U.S. homes. More consumer goods manufacturers are offering “germ resistant” surfaces on many household items such as refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves and other appliances and fixtures. A report by Global Industry Analysts Inc. says the U.S. antimicrobial coatings market alone is expected to reach $1 billion by 2015.
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