Film protects pre-coated metal sandwich panels
What is believed to be the first adhesive co-extruded film to be specifically designed and produced for the protection of pre-coated metal sandwich panels on foaming lines is now available.
Novacel of France, a world leader in protective solutions for industrial surfaces, has unveiled the Novacel 9042, the first adhesive co-extruded film specifically designed and produced for the protection of pre-coated metal sandwich panels on foaming lines. A strong point of Novacel’s specialist film is that it can be applied at ambient temperature. The Novacel 9042 features a 33 micron co-extruded, adhesive, protective film, which is clear and transparent.
Thanks to its innovative backing with a polyolefines basis, the Novacel 9042 has mechanical characteristics that are superior to traditional 50 micron films with a low-density polyethylene basis.
Applicable at ambient temperature, Novacel’s specialist film has a glossed aspect, which emphasizes the surface features of the sandwich panels.
The Novacel 9042 is supplied in rolls of 3000m - thus making it possible to limit the number of changeovers of rolls - and of up to 2600mm in width.
The UV-treated film can be exposed to outdoor weather conditions for up to three months without its characteristics and performance being affected in any way.
Novacel will present its novel solutions for surface protection, including the Novacel 9042, during the international trade fairs to be held in Germany and France in the autumn - at the Kunststoff trade show (K-2004 -Dusseldorf, from 20 to 27 October 2004, Stand # 72G07), at euroblech (Hanover, from 26 to 30 October 2004, Stand # 13E88), and at Emballage (Paris, from 22 to 26 November 2004, Stand # 6A016).
The technical data sheet for Novacel 9042 will be sent to interested parties on request, and also any other information that they may require.
About Novacel - headquartered near Rouen (in Normandy, North-Western France), Novacel is part of French group Chargeurs Protective Films.
Novacel’s aim is to give its clients the opportunity to enhance the value of their products.
To this effect, the company provides easy-to-use tools and products to protect the quality of surfaces.
This, in turn, reduces the costs that many companies incur because of damaged goods, improving the client company’s products’ brand-image in the process.
Novacel protective films are used in a wide range of industries - from the construction and packaging sectors to white goods, electronics and automotive, among others.
With Novacel, Ivex Novacel (now Novacel ) and Boston Tapes, Chargeurs Protective Films is world leader in surface protection films.
Chargeurs Protective Films also specializes in laminated and coated products through Troy Laminating and Coating, as well as technical adhesive tapes through Boston Tapes.
In 2003, Chargeurs Protective Films employed about 680 staff and generated consolidated sales of EUR 185 million.
Chargeurs Protective Films is an international group with sales operations across Europe (in Benelux countries, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK), Asia (China, Japan and South Korea) as well as North America (Mexico and the USA).
In all, the company sells its products in more than 60 countries across five continents.
Overpainting system gets European approval
Akzo Nobel’s Steelseal, the high quality overpainting system for exterior architectural cladding has gained certification by the British Board of Agrement.
Akzo Nobel’s Steelseal, the high quality overpainting system for exterior architectural cladding has gained certification by the British Board of Agrement, the organisation designated by the government to issue European Technical Approvals. Moreover, the rigorous certification procedure established a new Agrement category, relating to products for the redecoration or maintenance of exterior architectural cladding and Steelseal is currently the only system to be certified in this category. Steelseal has been specially formulated for adhesion to PVC Plastisol, polyester, silicone polyester and PVF2 coated substrates on galvanised steel and aluminium.
Akzo Nobel are major manufacturers of the coating systems used to provide the initial painting of steel and aluminium coil used for cladding and are thus uniquely placed to devise overpainting systems which promote excellent adhesion to these substrates.
Moreover, Steelseal topcoats are available to match any colour including British Standard, RAL and NCS colour palettes.
Commenting on the Agrement certification, Alan Thomas, Sales and Marketing Director at the BBA, observed, ‘The overcoating of cladding systems on industrial and commercial buildings is giving a lift to industrial estates and business parks throughout the UK.
As ever, though, it is important to ensure that the overcoating system chosen is up to the job and I am delighted that Akzo Nobel Industrial Coatings has sought and gained BBA Approval for their Steelseal system.
The BBA assessment included tests for resistance to artificial weathering, abrasion, scratching and staining, as well as exposure to sulphur dioxide, salt spray and humidity, with hard body impact considered too.
The BBA Certificate for Steelseal allows specifiers and purchasers nationwide to select Steelseal, safe in the knowledge that it has been put through the mill at the BBA.’ The Steelseal system consists of a range of primers, undercoats and topcoats, which may be applied by brush or airless spray to a range of cladding types.
It delivers an easy-to-clean, semi-gloss finish, which closely matches the sheen level of the original coatings, while helping to retain a fresh appearance and enhance the life expectancy of the paint system.
When used as part of a planned maintenance programme, Steelseal can reduce the cost of building maintenance and, by re-coating at the optimum time, it eliminates any need to strip back to the original cladding surface, which can involve significant expense.
When used as part of a refurbishment programme or to comply with corporate redesigns, Steelseal provides a cost-effective, flexible and approved overpainting solution.
Akzo Nobel Industrial Coatings is a world leader in the development and manufacture of high performance coating systems for a wide range of end use applications.
These include coil coating systems for steel strip, coatings and adhesives for print finishing, where the company’s Darwen factory is designated the centre of technical excellence for print finishing products within the Akzo Nobel worldwide Group, high performance wood coatings for joinery, flat panels, furniture and flooring and factory finish coatings for flexible flooring systems, as well as the Steelseal range of cladding overpainting coatings.
Coatings for flexible floors
From Akzo Nobel a new range of coatings suitable for most types of flexible floorings.
The new Accolade range has been designed for application at the place of manufacture to provide a factory finish, either to give initial protection to the flooring during installation and construction or to provide extended long-term protection, often in association with professional maintenance programmes. All coatings in the Accolade range offer a high degree of stain resistance and significantly reduce the amount of dirt taken into the flooring in use. Flooring manufacturers are offered three preferred technologies for the application of the new range of coatings, to suit flooring specifications or to comply with existing application equipment.
These are all one-pack technologies and are: UV curable, which are 100% non-volatile; water-based/UV curable; and water-based, forced air dried.
Coatings can be applied by a number of methods, including direct gravure, indirect gravure and roller coating.
Silkscreen and curtain coating are also possible.
Coatings are available for all types of flexible flooring, including homogenous, laminate, plastisol and cushion floors, for both pvc and non-pvc formulations.
Accolade coatings can also be developed to meet particular end-user requirements, for example for sports halls, hospital and kitchen applications.
The introduction of the new Accolade range is a result of the expertise and experience of Akzo Nobel Industrial Coatings in the development and manufacture of high performance coating systems for a wide range of end use applications.
These include coating systems for steel strip for architectural and white goods appliances use, coatings and adhesives for print finishing, where the company’s Darwen factory is designated the centre of technical excellence for print finishing products within the Akzo Nobel worldwide Group, and high performance wood coatings for joinery, flat panels, furniture and flooring.
Carbon coatings are diamond-like
Diamond-like carbon coatings for the medical industry provide excellent chemical resistance, low friction, electrical insulation and biocompatibility to suit a variety of applications.
Morgan Advanced Ceramics (MAC), a leading manufacturer of innovative ceramic, glass, metal, and engineered coating solutions, introduces Diamonex Diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC) for the medical industry through its Diamonex Products division. The high performance coatings provide excellent chemical resistance, low friction, electrical insulation and biocompatibility, creating an ideal solution for a variety of applications, including catheters, surgical instruments, implantable joints, medical instrumentation and packaging. Using patented plasma or ion beam chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technologies, MAC creates the DLC coatings, which exhibit chemical and physical properties similar to diamond, but without long-range crystalline order.
The Diamonex DLC coatings exhibit high hardness, a low coefficient of friction and chemical resistance.
Diamonex DLC coatings are applied to the product at near ambient temperature, thereby maintaining dimensional tolerances.
The high degree of vapor ionization used in MAC’s processes for DLC produces highly dense, conformal coatings with excellent adhesion.
Available in either ‘electrically insulating’ or ‘charge dissipating’ forms, MAC’s Diamonex DLC coatings can be specifically engineered to meet the performance requirements of each unique application.
* About Morgan Advanced Ceramics - Morgan Advanced Ceramics (MAC) manufactures products from a comprehensive range of materials.
Supplying to a variety of demanding markets, MAC has established an enviable reputation for providing value-added solutions through world-class research and development, innovative design and, perhaps most important of all, application engineering.
As subsidiaries of The Morgan Crucible Company, Morgan Advanced Ceramics and Morgan Electro Ceramics form part of the Morgan Technical Ceramics Group.
With manufacturing locations in North America, Europe and Asia, Morgan Technical Ceramics supplies an extensive range of products, including ceramic components, braze alloys, ceramic/metal assemblies and engineered coatings.
Door and window coatings improved
Leading door and window manufacturer has seen huge improvements in the coating quality of its components, thanks to a system that maintains consistency of coating.
Leading door and window manufacturer Premdor has seen huge improvements in the coating quality of its components, thanks to new equipment installed by Universal Finishing Systems at its sites in Hedingham (Essex), Bridgwater and Bonlea sister company in Stockton on Tees. As the UK division of the Masonite group, the world’s No1 door manufacturer, Premdor has invested in a total of four systems. All are versions of Universal’s standard Minivac and Supavac application systems specially adapted to feature a new pressure maintenance device which maintains consistency of coating even on problematic comb joints.
General Manager Peter Smith was so impressed with the design, installation and running of the new coating systems at Premdor’s volume Hedingham site, where two stainless steel Universal machines apply the base coat and base primer respectively, that he recommended colleagues on other sites consider changing their production lines accordingly.
Volume door and window manufacturers such as Premdor finish their products as much as possible in component form, giving them benefits in processing and handling as well as storage and assembly.
By using a vacuum coater components can be coated consistently all around in one pass with no loss of the surface coating.
Previously, Hedingham used a deluge coating system, which without the benefit of fine spray control is heavy on its use and loss of coating, and causes maintenance problems with the brushes it requires.
Furthermore, drying times are extremely long.
The sites at Bridgwater and Stockton on Tees used a dipping system, which also uses a lot of coating and can pose health and safety risks through contact, inhalation and the bacterial degradation of such large tanks of liquid left standing.
In contrast, Universal’s vacuum coating systems are totally enclosed, and with their 100% transfer efficiency, have significantly reduced Premdor’s coating costs.
Their consistency of application also gives a better uniform finish.
Because the timber does not have time to absorb it, there is less use of coating.
And drying times too are well down on previous production.
Components enter and leave the coating machine via a template in order to maintain constant pressure during application.
The new pressure maintenance device prevents excess air entering the system when comb joints pass through the system.
As a result, component joints are prevented from any build-up of coating, making assembly as smooth as its finish.
All four of Premdor’s new systems apply coatings to all four sides in one pass at speeds up to 40 metres per minute.
Unlike Hedingham, the smaller volume sites at Bridgwater and Stockton on Tees opted for one coating machine each, fitted with Teflon hyperslip surfaces for speed of cleaning and to reduce downtime between applying the base coating and base primer.
General Manager Peter Smith commented, ‘At Premdor, we are continually reviewing and investing in our production processes to further improve the quality and value of our products, as well as considering the environmental benefits.
Low friction high hardness coatings for toolmakers
Cavidur is a special type of amorphous carbon based DLC coating and is usually between 2 and 4um thick, deposited using plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition at temperatures below 200ºC.
Gloucestershire based Kronos Engineering Solutions . has had considerable success supplying its Cavidur coatings into the UK motorsport sector, where it is used in extremely demanding situations including finger followers and cams where lubrication films can break down. The company is now offering the same service to other industries to help them improve the performance and durability of their products.
Cavidur is a special type of amorphous carbon based DLC (Diamond-like carbon) coating and is usually between 2 and 4?m thick, deposited using plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition at temperatures below 200ºC.
A wide variety of substrates are suitable for the process, making it possible to apply the technology to soft materials to improve their wear properties.
The characteristics of DLC coatings are high hardness, comparable to and exceeding the hardness of TiN coatings, a very low coefficient of friction, and high wear resistance through self lubricating properties.
The coefficient of friction of DLC type coatings is in the region of 0.1.
Compared with TiN coatings, which have a coefficient of friction of around 0.3, and steel with a value of 0.7, DLC offers toolmakers some huge advantages.
It resists damage from aggressive plastics, eases demoulding, and smoothes the operation of moving parts including ejectors and slides in the tool.
Similarly, the wear resistance and surface hardness offered by DLC will improve the useful life of the tool, especially where a soft substrate has been used.
Utilising this technology will help toolmakers to offer their customers increased tool life and more reliable performance.
Additionally, cost savings in manufacture can be gained through eliminating the need to machine the tool in its hardened state.
Rust blocker forms colorless, odorless barrier
Rust blocker forms colorless, odorless barrier film that is dry-to-touch and is highly resistant to humidity and corrosion to provide long term protection on cast iron, steel and MIM components.
Dri Touch Amber rust blocker forms a colorless, odorless barrier film that is dry-to-touch and highly resistant to humidity and corrosion. Designed for use on all types of cast iron, steel and MIM components that are machined or have characteristics such as blind holes, recesses and uneven surfaces. The Dri Touch Amber coating will not drain off parts, or wick off into packaging materials, like oil-based products can.
It effectively protects parts that go into storage or dealer warehouses that require robust corrosion resistance without an oily film.
Dri Touch Amber is ideal for all types of hand tools and motor assemblies that contain both metallic and non-metallic components.
It penetrates and de-waters recessed areas without damaging non-metallic components such as grips, handles, fasteners and enclosures.
The colorless film is especially useful for parts that are shrink or blister packaged for retail sale.
Dri Touch Amber is a high grade solvent solution with a light amber color and a very low odor that makes it easy and safe to work with in all factory or tool room areas.
When applied to a metal surface, it rapidly penetrates recessed areas and dries quickly, leaving a non-dimensional, soft waxy film.
Dri Touch Amber is rated for 100+ hours salt spray and 600+ hours humidity protection and meets water displacement test Mil-C-16173 and stain test Mil-C-22235A.
Dri Touch Amber is applied to wet or dry surfaces by dipping, brushing or low-pressure spraying.
Bulk handled parts can be efficiently coated by dipping, followed by a short spin dry to reclaim excess liquid.
Ideal for use as a topcoat over black oxide or phosphate conversion coatings, Dri Touch Amber seals out corrosion and enhances the depth of color.
It can also be used for long term storage on uncoated metal surfaces, such as tools, fixtures, dies, molds, etc The Dri Touch Amber film dries and lubricates without interfering with part assembly or operation and is compatible with most lubricants, cutting oils and hydraulic oils.
Available from Birchwood Casey in 5 gallon and 55 gallon containers, Dri Touch Amber may be ordered online for immediate shipment from the Birchwood Casey website.
Coating stops components binding in feeders
Silicon rubber components were binding together and not moving freely in a vibratory feeder bowl until a non-stick, polymer composite coating was discovered.
Pentel, one of the world’s leading manufacturer of writing instruments and inventor of roller ball technology, contacted the Poeton website from its headquarters in California USA to try to solve a sticky problem that was slowing production of very small silicon rubber mouldings that fit into the barrels of a number of its pens. As part of the curing process for these tiny components, vibration is used to keep them apart and move them up the ramp of a circular feeder bowl. However, due to friction induced by the bowl’s surface, the components were binding together and not moving freely.
With the Internet now providing easy access to seemingly limitless information, Pentel’s engineers used the world-wide-web to search for global solutions to their local problem.
Poeton’s Trevor Amos takes up the story: ‘Following the initial enquiry we were supplied with technical information and photographs.
Because we couldn’t replicate the process environment we agreed to send a selection of recommended Apticote coatings on sample plates for Pentel engineers to evaluate using slide tests.’ The results produced a winner - Apticote 810 SP/SS - a recently developed non-stick, polymer composite coating that is already providing solutions to some very sticky problems in print, packaging, labelling and tobacco processes.
Pentel engineers were sufficiently impressed to ship one of the feeder bowls over from California to be coated and, when that proved successful in the actual process environment, they shipped over another.
Now, before new feeder bowls are fitted to the process, they are sent to the UK for coating.
Black gel covers ferrous parts efficiently
Gel formula, for applying a black cosmetic finish to ferrous parts, offers users more control as it won’t drip and ‘works great’ on upright surfaces, says the supplier.
Precision Brand Products is pleased to introduce a ‘Gel’ formula Tool Black blackener. Precision Brand has offered a liquid Tool Black solution for many years. Some users wanted more control during the application process when applying it to large, vertical or intricate areas.
The Precision Brand Tool Black Gel blackener blackens steel surfaces, quickly and easily.
This new gel formula offers users more control, it won’t drip and works great on upright surfaces.
The new Tool Black Gel blackener is part of a three-step process that allows users to achieve a uniform black cosmetic finish on most ferrous metals up to RC50.
It is a great, quick, in-house alternative to Black Oxide.
Tool Black Gel is excellent for prototype work, auto repair and restoration, arts and crafts, OEM finishing, decorative hardware, and general MRO toolroom applications.
This product can be used virtually anywhere where there is a steel surface that needs to be protected.
Tool Black Gel blackener products are sold through industrial distributors worldwide.
Coatings resist harsh environments
Coatings based on Victrex PEEK polymer offer the best combination of properties for harsh environments, providing superior abrasion, thermal, and chemical resistance.
Coatings based on Victrex PEEK polymer offer the best combination of properties for harsh environments, providing superior abrasion, thermal, and chemical resistance. Victrex USA announces Tech Line Coatings as a formulator for a new line of coatings based on Victrex PEEK polymer. These new, liquid dispersions available from Tech Line under the trademark Techtrex, are widely regarded as having the best combination of properties for harsh environments.
When compared to other commercial products, the new Techtrex coatings provide superior abrasion, thermal, and chemical resistance.
Techtrex coatings are specified for applications requiring FDA compliance, improved release characteristics, lower coefficient of friction, and enhanced abrasion resistance.
They can be applied in 0.5 mil to 6 mil thicknesses.
According to Andrew Ragan, Coatings Programme Leader for Victrex, ‘The Techtrex formulations have demonstrated superior hardness, abrasion resistance and adhesion with one application as compared with PFA, PVDF, and ECTFE multilayer based coatings.’ The new coatings are processed at similar conditions to PTFE and PFA.
They use standard processing equipment and require oven temperatures of between 371 - 399 deg C (700 - 750 deg F) to melt and flow out the coatings.
Victrex PEEK is typically injection molded or extruded into stock shapes, films, and fibers for components requiring a combination of abrasion, thermal, chemical resistance while also providing superior mechanical, electrical, and tribological performance.
Tech Line is an approved formulator for the new coatings in North America.
The company is a leader in thin film technology and specializes in the automotive high performance aftermarket.
Victrex USA, a division of Victrex, is the sole manufacturer and supplier of PEEK polymer worldwide.