Zinc and Zinc Alloys

Zinc plating offers an economical option for decorative and industrial finishes on metallic substrates. It is possibly second to only Nickel with respect to plating applications. Recent developments have focused on alloy plating of zinc with iron, cobalt etc. to produce exotic finishes with exceptional resistance to corrosion and high durability. Depending upon the practicality of your application, you can choose from a conventional high cyanide zinc plating process to the most modern chloride or other non-cyanide alkaline based processes which are, more recently preferred, for environmental reasons.

Zinc alloy plating involves using Zinc Iron or Zinc Nickel. Our experienced team will consult you on the optimum coating for your application and then expertly plate your material with a high-quality finish. The zinc layer is further enhanced with a range of Trivalent passivates which enhance the corrosion resistance of the plated layer. These are available in a range of colours – clear, yellow, olive drab and black.

Typical Applications for Zinc Alloy Plating
• Brake and Power Steering system pipes and assemblies
• Brake calipers
• Brackets
• Fuel pipes
• Rivets
• Connectors
• Hydraulic components and assemblies
• Machined components
• Fasteners

PVDF Coating

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) coating or KYNAR® coating is a pure thermoplastic fluoropolymer that is non-reactive and possesses multiple coating benefits. It is a chemical resistant, thick film barrier coating primarily used on chemical processing equipment due to its low weight and low thermal conductivity. This coating is unaffected by most chemicals and solvents, and has excellent wear and abrasion resistance. PVDF coatings are especially resistant to solvents, acids and heat, and has low density compared to similar fluoropolymers. KYNAR® or PVDF coatings also have a high dielectric strength, excellent resistance to weathering elements in harsh environments. Along with the ability to self extinguish, PVDF generates little smoke in the event of a fire.

PVDF Coating Statistics
Thickness : 0.020″ – 0.030″
Use Temperature : 500°F max
Chemical Resistance (ASTM D543) : Excellent
Abrasion Resistance (ASTM D4060) : Excellent
Tensile Strength at Break (ASTM D638) : 6525 PSI
Coefficient of Friction (ASTM D1894) : 0.4 Static ; 0.3 Dynamic
Dielectric Strength (ASTM D149) : 260 Volts per mil
Hardness (ASTM D676) : 80 (shore D)

ETFE Coating

ETFE coatings are a copolymer of Ethylene and TetraFluoroEthylene better known as TEFZEL®. Although not fully fluorinated, ETFE coatings have excellent chemical resistance and can operate at 150°C (300°F). The resins within these coatings are the toughest within the fluoropolymer range and can be applied at film builds up to 1,000 micrometers. ETFE is available in powder form.
TEFZEL® or ETFE coatings are designed to give uniform thick or thin film coatings and are based on a modified ETFE. Changes in physical properties by radiation include reduced elongation while tensile strength remains unchanged. Stiffness is increased and electrical losses are increased. These changes are independent of whether radiation took place in air or nitrogen. In the case of flex life however, a difference exists in that radiation in nitrogen gives a greater flex life than an equal dose in air. This type of coating should be considered for a broad range of applications where you need the benefits of the qualities like high performance thermal, chemical and electrical properties as well as outstanding mechanical toughness.

Benefits
• Excellent chemical and heat resistance
• Good release properties
• First class cryogenic stability
• Low coefficient of friction
• Excellent electrical insulating properties
• Few substances will adhere to ETFE– tacky substances that do are easily removed
• Both oleophobic and hydrophobic – not readily wetted
• High dielectric strength and low dissipation factor
• Virtually unaffected by UV or weather

ECTFE Coating

ECTFE coating is a melt-processable fluoropolymer with a 1:1 alternating copolymer structure of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE). As part of the fluoropolymer family, HALAR® coatings or ECTFE coatings have a unique combination of properties including excellent chemical resistance, good electrical properties, a broad-use temperature range, outstanding abrasion resistance, and excellent impact strength. ECTFE coatings resist a wide variety of corrosive chemicals and organic solvents, including strong acids, chlorine, and aqueous caustics making them ideal for vessels and process equipment for many industries including the petrochemical industry.
ECTFE Coating Statistics
• Tensile Strength (ASTM D1708) : 6600 psi
• Elongation (ASTM D256) : 325%
• Impact Strength (ASTM D256) : no break
• Dielectric Strength (ASTM D149) : 2000 volts per mil
• Use Temperature : 310°F max
• Melting Point : 428°F
• Chemical Resistance (ASTM D543) : Excellent
• Water Absorption (ASTM D570) : < 0.1% • Thickness : 0.020" - 0.040" • Specific Gravity : 1.68± .05

FEP Coating

FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene copolymer) coatings melt and flow during baking to provide smooth non-stick, non-porous films with excellent abrasion resistance. Because the coating is non-porous its chemical resistance is superb. FEP coatings can withstand a maximum use temperature of 205°C (400°F) continuously and intermittently up to 450°F. These coatings are chemically inert to most chemicals and solvents except very strong alkali solutions and fluorine at elevated temperatures. This coating is typically applied to a thickness of 1-5 mils DFT. FEP coatings are available in both water-based and powder forms for many application methods.
FEP Coating Statistics

• Tensile Strength (ASTM D1708) : 3400 psi
• Elongation (ASTM D1457) : 325%
• Impact Strength (ASTM D256) : no break
• Hardness (ASTM D2240) : 56 HB (shore D)
• Abrasion Resistance (Tabor) : 14.8 mg
• Coefficient of Friction (ASTM D1894) : 0.12 – 0.20 static ; 0.08 – 0.3 dynamic
• Dielectric Strength (ASTM D149) : 1325 volts per mil
• Use Temperature : 450°F max
• Melting Point : 500°F
• Thermal Conductivity : 1.4 BTU-in/h-ft 2-°F
• Chemical Resistance (ASTM D543) : Excellent
• Salt Spray Resistance (ASTM B117) : Good
• Water Absorption (ASTM D570) : < 0.01% • Thickness : 0.001" - 0.003"

Benefits
• Non-wetting
• Excellent non-stick properties
• Renowned dielectric and cryogenic stability
• Great release properties

PFA Coating

PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) coatings melt and flow during baking to provide non-porous films and increased permeation resistance. They also offer higher continuous use temperature, thicker film thicknesses and greater toughness than PTFE and FEP . Expertly applied PFA coatings have good non-stick properties and are the preferred coating for the food and industrial bakeware industries. Used extensively in products such as coated bread pans, muffin tins, bun trays and a whole host of coated industrial bakeware, these coatings are available in both water-based and powder forms.
Benefits
• Operation up to 260°C (500°F)
• Thicknesses of 1,000 micrometers
• Greater toughness than PTFE and FEP
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Fantastic non-stick properties

PTFE Coating

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) coating uses a two-coat (primer/topcoat) system. These products have the highest operating temperature of any fluoropolymer and have extremely low coefficient of friction, fair abrasion resistance and good chemical resistance.
PTFE Coating Statistics

• Tensile Strength (ASTM D1708) : 3000-5000 psi
• Elongation (ASTM D1457) : 300-500%
• Impact Strength (ASTM D256) : 3.5 ft-LB/in
• Hardness (ASTM D2240) : 50-65 HB (shore D)
• Abrasion Resistance (Tabor) : 12 mg
• Coefficient of Friction (ASTM D1894) : 0.12 – 0.15 static ; 0.05 – 0.10 dynamic
• Dielectric Strength (ASTM D149) : 450 volts per mil
• Use Temperature : 600°F max
• Melting Point : 625°F
• Thermal Conductivity : 1.7 BTU-in/h-ft 2-°F
• Chemical Resistance (ASTM D543) : Excellent
• Salt Spray Resistance (ASTM B117) : Fair
• Water Absorption (ASTM D570) : < 0.01% • Thickness : 0.001" - 0.003"

Features
• Non-stick and release
• Non-wetting
• Good abrasion and chemical resistance
• Excellent cryogenic stability
• Anti-galling
• High dielectric strength

PTFE coatings can be used on carbon steel, aluminium, stainless steel, steel alloys, brass and magnesium as well as non-metallics such as glass, glass and carbon fibre, some rubber and plastics. Correct surface preparation is essential to ensuring optimum performance, which we provide as part of our service.

Dry Film Lubrication

Our dry film lubricants provide friction control and surface release solutions for applications where liquid lubricants are impractical or could fail due to load or temperature. Reducing wear, galling, and heat generation on your components will reduce running and maintenance costs, machine downtime and operational limitations.
Our dry film lubrication service is delivered by an experienced, skilled workforce and supported by a comprehensive quality process that is able, depending on the individual specification, to carry out cure tests such as the MEK rub test, adhesion tests (such as ASTM D3359), or thickness tests to SSPC-PA2.
Key Properties
• Corrosion resistance
• Lubricity
• Friction reduction

Typical Applications
• Threaded components
• Bearings
• Chains
• Gears and sprockets
• Oil field connectors and couplings

Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) coatings, also known as Moly Coatings are commonly used in applications where load carrying capacity, operating temperature and coefficient of friction are primary concerns. This coating provides effective lubrication in a wide range of loads, in many cases exceeding 250,000 psi. Moly coatings lubricate sacrificially by transferring lubricant between the two mating surfaces, which helps to reduce wear and coefficient of friction. Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) coatings are a dry film lubricant.

Moly Coating Properties
Moly coating is a combination of molybdenum disulfide lubricant and high performance resins. Molybdenum coatings are thermally cured and thoroughly bonded to the base metal of the coated part. Uses for molybdenum disulfide coatings include applications that require a lubricant that is more unreactive when in use, and remains sturdy.

Moly Coating Applications
Moly coatings have traditionally been applied on components subjected to high-pressures, whilst graphite coatings have been used in applications at high temperatures. Pre-treatment of the substrate, such as blasting to SA2.5, can have a marked effect on the end anti-friction quality of the component.

Dry-film lubricants like moly coatings are extremely useful for working parts which operate in an environment unsuitable for wet lubricants, or are positioned in awkward places that make wet lubrication very difficult. Different Molybdenum Disulphide coatings have variable degrees of corrosion and wear resistance qualities. The coating is suitable for heavily loaded mechanical applications, but not safe for food contact applications.
There are a number of application methods of MoS2 low friction coatings, including a simple rubbing or burnishing, air-spraying resin-bonded or inorganically bonded coatings, and more recently by sputtering through physical vapour deposition (PVD).

• Molybdenum Disulfide Coating Statistics
• Load Capacity (ASTM 2625 B) : 250,000 psi
• Wear life (ASTM 2625 A) : 250 min.
• Salt Spray Resistance (ASTM B117) : 500 hrs.
• Coefficient of Friction (ASTM D1894) : 0.19 static ; 0.16 kinetic
• Abrasion Resistance (mil STD 141A) : 10,000 cycles/mil
• Thickness : 0.001″ – 0.003″
• Use Temperature : 400°F max*
* A special formulation is available that will withstand up to 1000° F

Powder Coating

The scale, geographical spread and capacity of our facilities mean we are able to reliably powder coat a wide range of components within tight turnarounds. Our powder coating processes are trusted by leading suppliers, precision engineers and OEMs in the automotive, oil and gas and aerospace sectors.

Why use Powder Coating?
Powder coating systems are extremely cost efficient. They rely on an electrical charge in both the work-piece and the paint material to ensure uniform deposition and minimal overspray and material losses, prior to heat curing. Powder coating offers durability and good corrosion resistance with exceptional levels of appearance and finish.
The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form.

How does the Powder Coating System work?
Powder coating is the technique of applying dry paint to a part. The final cured coating is the same as a 2-pack wet paint. In normal wet painting such as house paints, the solids are in suspension in a liquid carrier, which must evaporate before the solid paint coating is produced. In Powder Coating, the powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.

Key Properties
• Aesthetics
• Range of colours
• Durability
• Corrosion protection

Typical Applications
• Automotive components like Alloy wheels , Brake callipers
• Bicycle frames
• Architectural components
• Aluminium extrusions
“White Goods”

Advantages of using Powder Coating
1. Powder coatings emit near zero volatile organic compounds (VOC).
2. Powder coatings can produce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging.
3. Powder coated items generally have fewer appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces than liquid coated items.
4. The wide range of specialty effects are easily accomplished using powder coatings that would be impossible to achieve with other coating processes.

TEFLON® Coating

TEFLON® is a trademark of DuPont™ used to refer to their non-stick products. TEFLON® coating is, by description, the foremost recognizable term used to describe PTFE or industrial performance coatings. It is a versatile product that is appreciated by many companies around the world for almost unlimited applications. Whether the requirement is for unique a configuration or a variety of geometric shapes, TEFLON® coating will always add value to a product, far beyond the inherent non-stick qualities.
TEFLON® coatings are manufactured providing a range of industrial coatings and are available in both liquids and powders. This coating is applied in a similar fashion to paint, however, when cured at the required temperature the coating becomes a tough and inert positive addition to the customer’s product. TEFLON® coating technology has an extended family of coatings, providing the ideal combination of performance properties that meets most of today’s design needs. By combining heat resistance with almost total chemical resistance, excellent dielectric stability and a low coefficient of friction, TEFLON® coatings offer the right balance of properties unbeatable by any other material