EuroWire November 2019

Technology News

Electrophoretic painting for added protection

WILLIAM Hughes has introduced an electrophoretic paintline at its Plovdiv factory in Bulgaria. This paintline provides a high-gloss black finish with strong anti-corrosive properties and is intended mainly for use on the springs, wire forms and assemblies manufactured by William Hughes, but can also be offered as a service to other manufacturers. Electrophoretic paint – or E coating – is a combination of plating and painting whereby a metal object is dipped in a water-based solution that contains a paint emulsion. An electric current passes through the part, causing the paint emulsion to condense onto it. Both the outside of the part and any internal surfaces can be painted, provided the solution can reach the surface concerned. Typical coating thickness is 20 to 22 microns but upwards of 40 microns can be achieved if required. Many of the parts produced by William Hughes are destined for use in the automotive seating industry, for which the paint chosen is particularly suitable due to its anti-noise properties.

The end results and electrophoretic paintline

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The paintline transfers the parts from tank to tank fully automatically in a closed loop system that eliminates waste and is both efficient and environmentally friendly. The painted parts are then cured in an oven set at 200º for 20 minutes, and will withstand corrosion for around 800 hours, according to tests conducted in William Hughes’s salt-spray testing facility. WilliamHughes Ltd – UK Website : www.wmhughes.co.uk

removal of oil, grease and other surface contaminants prior to a rinse in tap water. This is followed by an acid bath for more stringent cleaning, then further rinsing and a passivation procedure designed to remove any remaining iron contaminants from the surface of the material. A rinse in de-ionising water prevents bubbles forming on the surface of the part when it enters the electro painting or KTL stage.

Cleaning is the first step in the process, using an alkaline cleaning agent for the

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