This work was carried out by our lead specialist before East Anglia Coating Solutions was established. The client and the previous employer are not named.
Background
A powder coating facility asked for an independent assessment of its chemical pretreatment, to see whether the line could consistently reach the performance expected under the Qualicoat specification.
The challenge
Adhesion and long-term durability were in doubt. Representative panels were run through the pretreatment line, coated with a Qualicoat-approved powder and cured under controlled conditions before testing.
Scope
- Adhesion and wet adhesion testing
- Impact resistance and boiling water testing
- Review of the pretreatment process parameters, including dwell and dipping times
What we found
The first panels failed impact resistance, adhesion and boiling water testing. The pretreatment was not consistently producing the surface the coating needed. The review then concentrated on how long each stage was given.
Outcome
After the recommended changes to dwell and dipping times, new panels passed with markedly better adhesion and coating performance. That gave the facility confidence in the pretreatment and supported compliance with customer requirements.
What this shows
- Pretreatment investigation
- Adhesion, impact and boiling water testing
- Process recommendations
- Technical reporting