Columbia Chemical Suppliers Showroom

Decorative Trivalent System Addresses Environmental Stewardship Needs

As OEMs evaluate the capability and readiness of applicators to switch from decorative hexavalent to trivalent, Columbia Chemical’s TriCOL Reclaim holds the featured spot at Booth 319.

Videos: 40 Under 40 Class of 2024

In these uncertain times, it is refreshing to hear from and learn about young talent in the surface finishing industry who are striving to make a difference within their organizations and the industry as a whole.

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.

Cobalt’s Role In Passivation

Learn about cobalt in passivation, why it is being replaced and the alternative technology that is taking its place in this column from Christian Kissig of Columbia Chemical.

TriCOL Reclaim Prevents Buildup of Counterions

As OEMs evaluate the capability and readiness of applicators to switch away from decorative hexavalent plating, Columbia Chemical’s TriCOL Reclaim holds the featured product spot at Booth 333.

40 Under 40: Class of 2023

Products Finishing's 40 under 40 program recognizes nominated individuals driving the surface industry forward. Meet the class of 2023.

Troubleshooting Alkaline Zinc

One of the most common problems that can arise when plating with alkaline zinc is an imbalance of brightener in the solution. In this helpful Ask the Expert article, Chad Murphy of Columbia Chemical discusses how different zinc metal concentrations and brightener concentrations can impact efficiency.

How to Choose the Right Coating for Fasteners

Choosing the proper coating for fasteners can help with performance by improving durability and lifespan. In this helpful Ask the Expert article, Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical offers advice for choosing the right fastener coatings.

Family-owned Zinc Plater Looks to the Future

Creative solutions and a willingness to take on challenges is at the heart of Grand Rapids-based finisher’s success.

Disruptive Change: EVs and Finishing Opportunities

As EVs continue to claim an increasingly larger share of the automotive market, what can finishers expect in terms of demand for finishes? Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical shares his insights into the kinds of opportunities EVs present for finishers.

Episode 21: Interviews From SUR/FIN 2022

Conversations from the trade show floor on the finishing community’s response to increased hexavalent chrome and PFAS fume suppressant regulations.

Coping With Staffing Shortages

Tom Mastalerz, business development manager at Columbia Chemical, discusses strategies for optimizing operational efficiencies to help combat staffing shortages.

Acid Zinc-Nickel Benefits Market Share

Stephen Roberts of Columbia Chemical discusses the advantages of adding acid zinc-nickel capabilities to your plating operation.

Episode 13: On the Line — The Year In Review

In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing takes a look back at the most pertinent stories covered by the podcast in 2021.

Improving Leveling in Nickel Systems

Chad Murphy of Columbia Chemical offers insights for addressing issues with leveling in nickel systems.

Achieving Desired Thickness with Black Passivate

Curt Sotera of Columbia Chemical offers insights for achieving the desired results when plating parts in zinc-nickel with a black passivate.

Episode 5: Transitioning Hexavalent Chromium to Trivalent, Part 1

In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing editor-in-chief Scott Francis sits down with Mark Schario, executive vice president with Columbia Chemical to hear about the latest innovations in trivalent chromium plating technology.

Control of Trivalent Passivates

Stephen Roberts of Columbia Chemical discusses ways to better control passivate solutions to improve quality.

40 Under 40: Class of 2021

Each year, PF editors comb through a long list of nominees with a wide range of skill sets to select the 40 Under 40 class. This year's finalists include engineers, operations managers, chemists, general managers, sales professionals and entrepreneurs working in the finishing industry.

Columbia's Tricol Reclaim Reduces Trivalent Chrome Costs

Columbia Chemical has launched its Tricol Reclaim solution for trivalent chromium plating, which it says lowers process costs between 40 and 60 percent.

Plating with Zinc-Nickel: Benefits and Challenges

Chad Murphy of Columbia Chemical speaks about the benefits of various types of zinc-nickel alloy, and provides tips for manufacturers about the zinc-nickel plating process.

Columbia Chemical Celebrates 45th Anniversary

The company was founded in 1975 when two chemists, William Rosenberg Sr. and Herb Geduld, rented space in a former textile mill.

Columbia Chemical Brings on Technical Account Manager

Curt Sotera will focus on providing technical service to Columbia’s customers, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in Ohio and the Northeast U.S.

Columbia Chemical Granted General Motors Decorative Plating Color Style Approvals

Columbia Chemical has received color approvals from General Motors for its TriCOL Trivalent Chromium Plating Process.

Columbia Chemical's TriCol Process Enhances Metal Distribution

TriCol Décor process for trivalent chromium plating is chloride based for faster plating, according to the company

Summary Report on USCAR Field Test for Trivalent Chromium

Mark Schario from Columbia Chemical explains USCAR’s multiyear project to determine how various trivalent chromium systems would perform in the real world.

Columbia Chemical Expands Pretreatment Chemistry Line with Purchase of Khemex Technical Sales

The company says the move will also allow it to provide additional service to an expanding customer base.

Lustrous Metal Coatings Opens New Decorative Line

Lustrous offers full-service metal finishing of chloride zinc offered in automatic, manual and barrel processing.

A Lustrous Example of Expanding a Plating Operation

Ohio’s Lustrous Metal Coatings Pins Growth on Acquiring Other Manufacturing Operations

Fixing Excessive Brightener Consumption From Dull Work In Alkaline Non-Cyanide Zinc

Although great strides have been made over the last 30 years in the development of alkaline non-cyanide zinc processes, Asterion’s Graham Torr says not all “modern” systems are created equal.

Colloy A-Z-N 300 Addresses Common Plating Problem

Columbia Chemical replaces ammonium chloride/high salt content in older zinc-nickel systems.

Webinar Looks at Trivalent Chromium Process Capability Study for OEMs

Mark Schario, executive vice president for Columbia Chemical, will present information on evaluating test matrix variables and performance results of exterior corrosion testing between trivalent and hexavalent.

Preventing Dark Streaks in Trivalent Chromium

Matt Schario from Columbia Chemical explains what is the likely cause of these streaks and patterns, and how to prevent this from happening.

Columbia Chemical TriCol Process Enables Fast Plating

Columbia Chemical’ s TriCol Décor process for trivalent chromium plating is chloride based for faster plating, according to the company

ColDip Midnight 1500 Black Zinc Passivate Offers Enhanced Color and Cost Control

Three-part system allows for maximum color control and provides a consistent black appearance

Webinar Discusses Switch from Hexavalent to Trivalent

Columbia Chemical and Products Finishing will host a free webinar on October 18 that will address regulations, process differences, conversion details, cost factors and benefits.

Fixing Adhesion Issues on High-Carbon Steel

Columbia Chemical’s Matt Schario says focus on the acid pickling stage of the plating process to solve adhesion issues on high-carbon steel.

Leveling the Field in Nickel Plating

Profilometry helps determine the leveling characteristics of Watts nickel baths.

Better Alloy Control of Alkaline Zinc Nickel Baths

The factors that influence nickel content in deposits from alkaline non-cyanide zinc nickel baths.

Top Surface Finishing Innovations of 2016

We look back at the industry’s top new products and services for the past year.

Columbia Chemical Names Schario And Boehmer To New Positions

Schario promoted to Vice President, Global Business Development, and Boehmer promoyed to Director, Domestic Business Development

Columbia Chemical Expands Into Decorative Plating Market

Company release of two new product lines: NiCOL bright and semi-bright decorative nickel plating processes and TriCOL trivalent chromium plating process.

Columbia Chemical Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Bill Rosenberg Sr., Herb Geduld founded company

A Conversation With…Bill Rosenberg Jr., Columbia Chemical

We caught up with Bill as he was tuning his numerous guitars that he plays in a band with friends.

Columbia Chemical Names Jeff Boehmer As Technical Support Manager

Boehmer is a member of the National Association of Metal Finishers, and has earned the designation of CEF/Certified Electroplater-Finisher.

Columbia Chemical Receives Employee-Ownership Award

The company began employee stock ownership in 2005 and has been 100 percent employee-owned since 2012.

Columbia Chemical Begins Selling Direct In Mexico

Columbia Chemical has launched its latest international joint venture, Columbia Chemical de Mexico.

Columbia Chemical Gains Approvals As Preferred Supplier For Zinc And Zinc-Alloy Plating Processes

Gains approvals from John Deere, GM, NCR and Alfagomma after processes were subjected to rigorous testing at each facility.

Columbia Chemical Receives Award From Business Group

Prestigious award was developed by The Entrepreneurs EDGE to recognize value-creating, mid-sized companies in the region.

Columbia Chemical Receives GMW 4700 Approval

Trivecta Ni-Z Black 70 with Trivecta Black Sealer 350 approved under the GMW 4700 Type B, BL specification

Columbia Chemical Participates In "Manufacturing Road Show"

200 students participated in the program and spent the day touring two of the five local manufacturing facilities in Brunswick and Valley City.

Going Long in Zinc

It can be tough, in the midst of as bad a recession as many of us have experienced, to consider investing in new equipment and processes.

Getting Better All the Time

Trivalent black passivates currently in use reflect the great strides made in appearance, corrosion protection, and solution life. All these are improved and the processes are a little more like the old two-part hex black. However, they still employ multiple additives and controllers to maintain the solution.

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