How to Choose Between Sulfate and Chloride-Based Trivalent Chromium
There are several factors to consider when choosing between sulfate and chloride-based baths for trivalent chromium plating. Mark Schario of Columbia Chemical discusses the differences and what platers should keep in mind when evaluating options.
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10 Anodizing Best Practices
Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your anodizing operation.
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Choosing Paint for Fast-Paced, Extra Slip, High Temp Applications
Many industrial applications require coatings that not only offer corrosion resistance and aesthetics, but provide additional attributes such as heat resistance and quick drying properties. This helpful clinic offers a few examples.
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Advantages of UV-LED Spot Curing for Collision Repair
Carlisle Fluid Technologies’ Jacob Fortmeyer shares advantages, considerations and important equipment features for the UV-LED curing process.
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Rework and Recoating Powder
Powder coating rework requires more than just recoating the part. Products Finishing columnist and powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert discusses proper steps that should be taken to ensure a quality finish.
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Changing From Liquid to Powder Coating
Will the powder coating perform better than your liquid system? Products Finishing columnist Rodger Talbert discusses considerations you should consider when making the switch.
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Finishing activity contracted again in January, Closing at 45.5
Finishing activity has shown encouraging signs the past two months, the longest ‘stretch’ since starting to contract in April 2023.
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3 Tests to Ensure Parts are Clean Prior to Plating
Making sure that all of the pre-processing fluids are removed prior to plating is not as simple as it seems. Rich Held of Haviland Products outlines three tests that can help verify that your parts are clean.
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10 Ecoat Best Practices
Following this list of guidelines can help to increase the performance, cost effectiveness and quality for your ecoat operation.
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Understanding Robotic Vacuum Impregnation
Robotic vacuum impregnation can be used to seal porosity, minimize scrap, increase throughput and reduce costs.
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3 Reasons to Implement Vacuum Degreasing
Improvements in air emissions and waste when using vacuum degreasing also result in cost reduction.
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Causes for Cross Contamination
Cross contamination of powder coatings is often the result of poor habits in the powder room. Powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert offers an example of how to mitigate cross contamination.
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Troubleshooting the Drying Process
For some technicians who are new to spraying water coatings, it can be a huge learning curve, as the basics of reduction, spraying and drying are much different than those of the solvent world.
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5 Things to Know About XRF Calibration
The proactive approach of validating measurement performance and calibrating only as often as necessary improves quality, consistency and reduces costs.
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Recoating Best Practices
Powder coating consultant Rodger Talbert offers advice for recoating successfully without excess orange peel or inconsistent gloss.
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Controlling Zinc and Manganese Phosphate Baths
Phosphate baths have become more complex. Understanding some of the key features of these baths and how they can influence finished coating is important.
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Optimizing Your Liquid Electrostatic System
For your electrostatic process to work consistently, there are three primary items to check: voltage at the applicator, part grounding, and compatibility of the coating material. John Owed of Carlisle Fluid Technologies walks you through the process.
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Cobalt’s Role In Passivation
Learn about cobalt in passivation, why it is being replaced and the alternative technology that is taking its place in this column from Christian Kissig of Columbia Chemical.
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Surface Preparation for Best Adhesion for Powder Coating
Kevin Biller with ChemQuest recommends the proper way to prepare a surface for powder coating that leads to excellent adhesion on 304SST.
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Proper Sieve Size for Powder Coating's Smooth Results
Kevin Biller at ChemQuest Powder Coating Research gives recommendations for sieve size to ensure surface smoothness.
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