The PPG Coatings Services electrocoating (e-coat) process offers many advantages, starting with an appropriate pretreatment, followed by careful electrocoating, and finishing with precise thermal curing.
More industries than ever before are selecting electrocoating for their excellent finish quality, high productivity, cost-effectiveness, high-efficiency and versatile technology options.
Even better, electrocoating offers an "environomic" solution: no heavy metals, no HAPS and low VOCs.
The PPG Coatings Services Equipment Division designs, builds and installs the majority of its coating production and support equipment. We satisfy customer demands with
- Quick response times
- Specialized coatings systems and processes
- High production capability
- Versatile equipment options
- Large- and small-part coatings capability.
What is Electrocoating?
E-coating, also known as electrodeposition coating, is a method of painting that uses electrical current to deposit paint on a surface. The process works according to the principle that “opposites attract.”
The electrocoat process can be divided into four distinct steps:
- Step one is the pretreatment process, during which metals are cleaned and phosphated to prepare the surface for application of the electrocoat.
- In step two, the electrocoat bath is applied using ancillary and process control equipment. The electrocoat bath consists of 80% - 90% deionized water and 10% - 20% paint solids.
- Step three is the post-rinse, where excess paint solids are returned to the tank.
- Step four is curing in the electrocoated part in the bake oven. The minimum bake schedule is 20 minutes with a part temperature at 375°F for most electrocoat technologies.
What materials can be e-coated?
- Cold/Hot Rolled Steel
- Galvanized Steel
- Iron Castings
- Zinc Castings
- Copper/Brass
- Conductive Composites
- Aluminum Extrusions and Castings
- NiZn Plated Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Magnesium
- Chrome Plate
Pretreatment Requirements
Selecting the proper pretreatment is essential to success. PPG Coatings Services can deploy multiple technologies to meet most OEM specifications, including zinc- and iron-phosphating, impellers and air blasters, chrome conversion coatings, and chrome and non-chrome sealers.
What are the benefits of Powder coating?
Electrocoating produces the ideal base for a variety of topcoats, yielding a “dual application advantage,” that results in demonstrably more decorative and durable finishes. As a premier applicator, PPG Coatings Services has the technology and technical expertise needed to pretreat and electrocoat vi0rtually any metal substrate in-house.
Why Outsource Electro Coating?
An e-coat system with the appropriate supporting equipment, such as the treatment system for process fluids represents a significant capital and staffing investment. For low-to-moderate production volumes, outsourcing can be a cost-effective way to obtain the advantages of professional e-coat application for a given part or product.
When production volumes reach the levels that could justify an in-house system, the decision to outsource electrocoating becomes more complex than a "make or buy" evaluation. At that point, it also becomes a “strategic” decision that requires answers to two fundamental questions: “What is our business?” and “Do we want to run a coatings operation?”.
Here are a few of the advantages of outsourcing with PPG Coating Services:
- Project Analysis: PPG Coatings Services will assist with development and then support the most effective process to meet and exceed the customer's goals.
- Equipment: PPG Coatings Services can design, build and manage the coating application equipment for maximum efficiency specific to the customer’s product.
- Coating Application: PPG Coatings Services will provide highly trained personnel for total custom coating system management.
- Parts Handling: PPG Coatings Services is experienced in packaging, logistics, assembly, inventory control, masking and specialized fixturing.
- Long-Term Management: PPG Coatings Services' unique "bundle" of skills related to painting technologies allows the customer to focus on the core business without the worries of operating a coating facility.
Choose PPG Coating Services
Whatever the coating objective – if it can be met with electrocoating, powder coating, liquid painting or a combination of each – you can trust the protective coating specialists at PPG Coatings Services. To take advantage of the complete PPG Coatings Services process, from research and development to delivery, call 877-786-9670 today.
