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Feature Articles
Novelty Finish
Question:
We are experiencing an unacceptable rate of paint failures of our crackle paint finish.
Blue Anodize for Die-Castings
Question:
We have a customer who wants to anodize a 383 alloy die-cast part and color it blue.
Finishing Services builds its track record by being fast and flexible when it comes to satisfying its customers…
Coloring of Titanium
Question:
A customer has asked us about the feasibility of dying anodized titanium.
Cleaning Heat-Treated Parts
Question:
We receive parts that have been heat treated and quenched.
Infrared cure is gaining increased attention from coaters as a result of shorter cure cycles and the possibility of smaller floor space requirements when compared to convection oven curing. Coaters may consider IR as they try to fit new lines into limited space or in an effort to boost performance or line speed in combination with existing convection ovens. IR can also be useful with heat sensitive substrates. Although there are many different manufacturers and types of equipment available, an understanding of the basics of IR cure will help to take away some of the mystery and myth which has been associated with this cure system.
Quality Finishing: Troubleshooting Hexavalent Chromium Plating
Even though many are not using hexavalent chromium baths or phasing them out of production, there are still finishers who use them and will continue to plate from them…
Pretreatment over Pretreatment
Question:
We are considering forming an assembly and then painting it rather than painting the individual parts before assembling.
Safe Exhaust Recirculation of Manned Spray Booths
How to keep the cost of pollution control from hurting you…
Filler Material
Question:
We manufacture 0.050 inch aluminum parts that require stainless steel PEM standoff inserts.
Performance of Epoxy-Polyester in Salt Spray Test
Question:
We have a hybrid powder coating (epoxy-polyester) that we apply to our products over an iron phosphate.
Washington Roundup: 2002 Review
The Government Relations representatives for the American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers, the Metal Finishing Suppliers' Association and the National Association of Metal Finishers provide an update of its activities and what is coming for 2003…
Painting Plastic
Question:
I saw your name on the Internet.
Stressed Nickel Deposits
Question:
What causes high stress levels in a nickel sulfamate bath?
Yellow Lead Anodes
Question:
Why do the lead anodes in our mixed catalyst chromium plating bath turn yellow?
Butler Finish Nickel
Question:
What is “butler finish nickel?” How does one apply this finish?
Reality Check: The Value of Knowledge
A few months ago, I had the privilege of attending the Powder Coating Institute’s (PCI) “Hands-on Powder Coating Workshop.” Over the course of two days, the participants were exposed to a variety of topics, including the proper use of application equipment, storage of powder coatings, pretreatment systems and curing.
Aluminum Oxide Impregnation Article
Question:
I found your article on “aluminum oxide impregnation” most interesting.
Perspectives: Chemicals and the Public
Just about any person who heard that there were chemicals in their food would probably try to avoid it.
Interference Coloring
Question:
I have heard that there is a process, or processes, to color anodic coatings with colors such as blue, green, red, etc., but the process is not a dye.
Rinsing Issues
Question:
Our plating shop is in the process of evaluating our rinsing and use of water with a goal of reducing the amount of water that we use.
Interference Coloring
Question:
I have heard that there is a process, or processes, to color anodic coatings with colors such as blue, green, red, etc., but the process is not a dye.
Black Anodizing and Powder
Question:
I work for a company that builds a sewer laser that’s used for putting in tile from manhole to manhole to assure a constant grade and flow with no low spots.
Cleaning Used Hooks & Racks
In my column for December 2001, I outlined some possible paint stripping solutions for R.R.
Minimizing Rust, Part 2
Question:
I read your clinic in the December issue and would like to point out factual errors in the section titled, “Minimizing Rust.” At the end of your response, you have given the parameters necessary to achieve a particular result in the salt spray test.
Quality Finishing: Maximizing Electronics Plating Efficiency
Precision Plating adopted a new technology for processing its flat rolled sheet metal in strip-coil form…
Plastisol Drops
Question:
Although we wouldn’t presume to usurp the formulating expertise of a coatings manufacturer nor the expertise of the experienced user, the item in your July 2002 column piqued our interest.
Willys Wheel
Question:
We are a small paint company and we have a Willys Wheel.
United Metal Finishers is a leader in the plating field. It is showing the way by meeting new specifications and developing strong partnerships…
Blue Anodize for Die-Castings
Question:
We have a customer who wants to anodize a 383 alloy die-cast part and color it blue.