Electrophoretic Coating

Electrophoretic Coating has many names. Names such as Electrophoretic Painting, Electocoate and E-Coat just to name a few. Electrophoretic Coating is a process of applying wet paint electrically onto products.

This process of Electrocoating is used to protect products from rusting, scratching and so on. The coating procedure covers every inch of the product that it is applied to. Yes, that also includes the corners and the tight spaces of the item.

How is E-Coat applied?

The E-Coating process, simply put is as follows:

• The product that is to be coated must be clean using alkaline acid or phosphate pretreatments. It can also be pre zinc plated and passivated.
• After that, the product is emerged into the coating solution. At this point direct electricity is applied to the solution through electrodes. The gas liberated will coagulate the paint to cover the object creating its own resistance and even out the coating. Raising the current will cause a thicker film to develop.
• When that process is over, the product is rinsed to completely take away any of the solution that may be left on the item which has not bonded to the work.
• A baking process is then followed after the rinsing. This crosslinks the deposit to form a perfectly bonded coating of very even thickness.

Solvent-Borne Coats

Electrophoretic Painting is quickly and steadily replacing Solvent-Borne Coats. Solvent is usually added into most paints and it is used in the coating process to help in dissolving resins. In addition to that, it helps to give a thin coating.

However Solvent-Borne Coats have proven to be dangerous to human beings, animals and the environment. Some of the dangers to human beings and animals are, it attacks the nervous systems and causes skin irritation. As for the environment, when Solvent is in a vapour form, it emits hazardous air pollutants. Solvent has also proven to be a fire hazard.

BMW, Kia, and Volkswagen are a few names of auto manufacturers that are using E-Coat on their products. Companies such as Honda and Ford Motor Company have also taken steps to help in the reduction of the dangers of solvent-borne coats.

Honda

In 1997 Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Marysville Motorcycle Plant replaced their Solvent-Borne system. Honda was also presented with the Governors Award For Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention.

Cathodic Electrophoretic Painting

This is a process where positively charged material comes into contact with negatively charged cathode.

Anodic Electrophoretic Painting

In this case it is in the reverse, that is, negatively charged material comes into contact with positively charged electrode. This is now used mainly with aluminimum as it has an anodising effect while the paint is applied.

Most coating in Australia is cathodic coating.

Advantages of using E-Coat

There are several advantages to using E-Coat

• It is environmentally friendly.
• Less risk of a fire hazard.
• Items that poses to be a problem when coating is easily coated when using E-Coat.
• No running of the coating.
• High throwing power.
• Extremely even coating unlike powder or solvent painting.

A Little History

In 1957, George Brewer developed Anodic Electrophoretic at the Ford Motor Company. However, it was only in the 1960s that Anodic Electrophoretic was used commercially.

This process was and to a larger degree still being used in the auto industry. Throughout the years manufacturers have also been using E-Coat on other products, products apart from and in addition to vehicles. Products such as supermarket shopping carts, bathroom fittings, metal cabinets, chair patio furniture, snowmobiles, washing machine and electronic appliances.

Electrocoat Association

Electrocoat Association is a non-profit trade association that was founded in 1997. This association helps to bridge the gap between suppliers of E-Coats and the users of E-Coat products.

The Association provides information to help in the promoting of E-Coat technology organised events and is involved in many other things.

In May of 2008, the Electrocoat Association will be holding a Conference, which will be held in Indianapolis. At the conference the Association will be seeking to educate the finishing industry a little bit more about Electrocoat technology; while at the same time trying to expand the using of it. They will also be dealing with how to improve the E-Coat application. Environmental issues as well as the operating of an Electrocoat system among many other things.

Individuals as well as the corporate world are encouraged to join the Electrocoat Association. By joining it one is privy to the latest information concerning E-Coat. There is also a network of people and their companies who are there to assist in ones latest project and the list goes on.

Bottom Line

Companies and individuals use E-Coat as a finish ultimately because it extends the life of their items. Economically, using E-Coat is also beneficial. Due to the automated system of E-Coat the amount of paint that will be needed for a product can be calculated precisely.

Who Sells And Uses E-Coats Products?

Places such as Home Depot, Sears and Auto Zones are a few places that sell E-Coat products. Specialised poly urethane coatings for interior automotive, builders hardware and spectacles are manufactured by specialised companies like LVM in Birmingham UK. There is also an E-Coat "logo" that is located on products to help customers to identify these products.

There are numerous places that use the E-Coat system on products. Places such as Max Coating Inc., Spectrum Industries and Metokete Corporation, just to name a very few.

Products that are made out of steel, brass and zinc are perfect for Electrophoretic Coating.

The Environment and E-Coat

Another positive quality of Electrophoretic Coating is that it is environmentally friendly. Little or no hazaradous air pollutants are emitted from it. Also, very low volatile organic compounds are present and it is recyclable. The Environmental Protection Agency has also approved the Electrophoretic Coating Process.

Conclusion

There are many forms of coating processes. There is Liquid Painting as well as Powder Coating. However, what makes E-Coat stand out from among the others is that the electricity is applied to the surface of the item.