TPT November 2024

ARTICLE

Quaker Houghton

UV coatings: setting new standards for tube and pipe manufacturers By Oriol Serra, product manager for coatings (EMEA), at Quaker Houghton

coating into their existing set-ups. As with any new equipment, initial considerations will revolve around where UV coating fits within an existing manufacturing facility. Quaker Houghton, having an extensive portfolio of coating products, can help manufacturers to decide on the best technology. Where UV coating is concerned, up to 50 per cent less floor space is required when compared to traditional water-based coatings, which require extensive infrastructure such as large drying ovens and substantial cooling bed space. Equipment adjustment also provides peace of mind when starting a new installation versus complex oven and ventilation settings. Benefits of UV coating Against a backdrop of global competition, every efficiency, productivity improvement and increase in quality can contribute to the bottom line. UV coating has the potential to unlock significant improvements for manufacturers, with its benefits ranging from its small physical footprint and speed of process, through to cost of ownership and the stability of UV coatings. Though an initial capital investment is required for UV application and curing equipment, the high reuse ratio offsets this cost, providing a return on investment for tube and pipe manufacturers adopting the technology. With an efficiency exceeding 92 per cent, UV coatings offer competitive pricing per square meter compared to other coating options. Additionally, energy savings from eliminating the need for curing ovens make the total cost of ownership for UV coatings

The global manufacturing landscape is intensely competitive, and manufacturers – including those specialising in tube and pipe – must continually adapt their operations to ensure efficiency and reliability alongside output quality that meets the needs of customers around the world. Protective coatings have a significant role to play here, as part of established production processes. While traditional coatings like water-based solutions are among the most commonly used, UV coatings are offering a valuable alternative for delivering performance, efficiency and quality for manufacturers – and are now being widely adopted to stand up to the challenges of modern manufacturing. For tube and pipe manufacturers, their choice of coatings can have a direct impact on their operations. UV coatings are providing a solution to different challenges such as fast curing and roller marks, space utilisation, shelf life and stability in extreme weather and energy consideration. Plus, innovations within the UV coatings space means that these dependable solutions are advancing to accommodate today’s specific requirements. What is a UV coating? A UV curing process is a polymerisation reaction whereby a high energy UV light emitted by LED or mercury-dopped lamps is applied over a liquid film, quickly transforming it into a fully cross-linked polymer solid coating. With several variations of UV coatings available – alongside traditional forms of materials coatings – it is important for manufacturers across the tube and pipe industry to understand how UV coatings can transform their production processes. Integrating into manufacturers’ existing processes, a UV coating capability can be tailored to specific requirements, delivering targeted value for customers. Spray guns accurately apply the coating on all sides of the material in a single continuous process, automatically switching on and off to optimise the process and reduce consumption. Once the UV light is applied, the reaction is instantaneous, providing tube and pipe manufacturers with a viable alternative to traditional solvent-based and water-based coating technologies. Alongside the capabilities of UV coating systems, a key consideration for manufacturers lies in how to incorporate UV

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NOVEMBER 2024