Pre-Treatment

Pre-treatment is the essential preliminary stage where metals are prepared prior to electrostatic powder coating.

This cleansing process removes any residual dirt, oil and contaminants and prepares a suitably conductive surface to receive the electrically charged paint particles. This enhances the coating adhesion and strengthens the durability and corrosion resistance of the powder coating finish.

Traditional steel pre-treatment processes have used zinc or iron phosphates, which produce a toxic waste sludge that is environmentally harmful and requires costly and time-consuming disposal.

Aluminium Pre-treatment has traditionally incorporated a chromate conversion system, adding a protective layer to the metal. This system uses hexavalent chrome (Cr VI) but in 2007 Europe banned the use of Cr VI due to its carcinogenic qualities.

Progressive companies such as SupaCoat, who are sensitive to environmental issues and adopt a whole-of-life product responsibility, have looked towards more environmentally benign pre-treatment processes that do not involve the use of heavy metals. SupaCoat employs Sur-Tec’s benign trivalent chrome (Cr III) system to avoid harmful effects to employees and comply with anticipated restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) legislation.

This next-generation system is phosphate free, environmentally friendly whilst providing substrate surface pacification and coating adhesion that meets stringent Qualicoat™ approvals.

SupaCoat is one of only a handful of companies in Australia to operate a Cr VI free pre-treatment facility. These environmentally friendly pre-treatment processes have proven to be more efficient and gentler on the environment, resulting in minimal waste and reduced energy and water consumption.