Offering our customers greater flexibility, our three electrocoating lines provide a variety of options for coating mild steel, electro-zinc coated mild steel and aluminium. Such facilities also provide us with a large coating capacity that has exceeded 1.5 million components per month, a figure which incorporated a range of component sizes including vehicle body sides.
Widely used in the general engineering sector to apply primer or protective coatings, electrophoretic coating, electropainting, electrodeposition, electrophoretic deposition (EPD), or e-coating, are all titles for a process which applies a thin, durable, and corrosion-resistant epoxy resin coating to metal components.
In Germany, e-coating or more specifically, cathodic dip painting, is known by the abbreviation KTL (Kathodische TauchLackierung), a term which is now used frequently across the automotive sector.
E-coating services UK
Measuring less than the diameter of a human hair, the e-coat layer is nominally 20 microns thick but can be varied for specific customer applications.
At the beginning of FP Advanced Coatings‘ e-coat process, the metal surface is cleaned and degreased prior to pre-treatment and the application of the coating layer. If necessary, the component can also be acid pickled to remove mill scale, laser-cut edge oxides, and surface corrosion before being coated. These steps all take place within a single process line.
Following pre-treatment, the component is fully submerged into the coating bath, where the e-coat layer is deposited. By fully submerging the component, internal surfaces or voids that would remain uncoated during a wet spray process can also receive a coating layer and subsequent protection from corrosion. At FP Advanced, we specialise in car ecoating services and have over 40 years of experience.
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we provide electropainting services through our three lines, providing you with exceptional service.
What it’s used for?
Providing full coverage on the most complex ware packages, or parts with cavities and hidden areas, our coatings yield the ultimate corrosive and chemical resistance upon our customers’ components.
After the coating stage, the components are rinsed to remove any non-deposited paint residue, oven cured, and cooled to complete the process. The e-coat is then suitable as a primer coating for further coating layers or coating systems to be applied such as powder coating. Additionally, it can also act as general protection for the component after assembly with other parts.
What is e coating?
Electrocoating (e-coating) is the process of using electrical currents to paint a surface. E-coating works on the basis of positive to negative magnetic attraction and FP Advanced uses this to coat a wide range of metal components.
Electrocoating vs Traditional Painting Methods
Electrocoating is different from traditional painting methods in several ways. Some of the key differences include:
- Process: Electrocoating uses an electrical current to deposit paint onto metal surfaces, while traditional painting methods use brushes, rollers, or sprays to apply paint.
- Coat Thickness: Electrocoating provides a uniform, consistent coat thickness, while traditional painting methods can result in inconsistent coat thickness.
- Paint Usage: Electrocoating uses less paint than traditional painting methods, making it more cost-effective.
- Production Time: Electrocoating is a faster process than traditional painting methods, reducing production time and costs.
- Surface Preparation: Electrocoating requires less surface preparation than traditional painting methods, as the metal surface must only be cleaned before electrocoating.
E-coating Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the electrocoating process compare to powder coating?
Electrocoating and powder coating are both methods of applying a protective coating to metal surfaces. However, electrocoating uses an electrical current to deposit paint onto metal surfaces, while powder coating uses heat to melt and fuse the coating onto the metal surface.
How long does the electrocoating process take?
The electrocoating process typically takes between 8-12 hours, depending on the size of the metal surface and the desired thickness of the coating.
