The popularity of e-coating as a pre-surface treatment method is ever growing. It is a high tech process that has been developed over the last fifty years. Today the modern and automated e-coat is known for its exceptional durability against mechanical stress and corrosion. As a sustainable and environmentally friendly method e-coating brings added value to the industry.
E-coating or electrodeposition coating stands for a method of pre-treatment that uses electrical current to deposit the coating on the surface. The subsequent painting after e-coating is completed with powder coating.
The modern and fully automated e-coat forms a coherent coating and has superior adhesion properties. E-coating
combined with powder coating creates a compact and a durable, heavy duty surface protection. The method provides a high resistance against mechanical stress and corrosion.
Even with lower film thickness e-coating achieves an adequate protection against corrosion when in comparison with wet or powder coatings.
Fewer chemicals used equals less hazardous waste
With e-coating the parts are dipped into a chemical bath where direct current is applied between the parts and a “counter” electrode. The optimal immersion time is three minutes. Chemical is attracted by the electric field to the part and is deposited on the surface.
Once the coating reaches the prescribed thickness, the part “insulates” and the coating process slows down.
As the chemicals used in the process are water- soluble the method does not cause any VOC emissions . Using ultrafiltration technology, rinse water can be extracted from the bath itself and used to recycle approximately 95 % of drag-out back into the bath.
E-coating method has no flammability problems during application as it is fully fire-resistant.
E-coating is the perfect technique for reaching difficult hard-to-reach areas. As the parts are immersed in chemical more thorough distribution of the coat is achieved. The method also provides an excellent corrosion resistance for sharp edges and corners.
In addition to its efficiency e-coating is also known to be fast. The duration of the entire process is approximately three hours, depending of the size of the production.
Starting up an e-coating line is a significant investment. Despite the demand until now there has been a shortage of e-coat services in Finland. This is slowly changing since the demand for e-coating services is increasing in industries such as automotive and agricultural machinery.
