Aalberts Surface Treatment Tamworth Ltd are the UK facility of a world-renowned industrial applicator of fluoropolymer, polyurethane, anti-microbial and thermal spray coatings. On our site in Tamworth we specialize in polymer coating and thermal spraying. Our systems, experience and high level of service will help you to fulfil all your surface technology requirements. With expert hands-on know-how and decades of practical experience, Aalberts Surface Treatment Tamworth Ltd UK is the fluoropolymer and thermal spray coating applicator for the UK and Ireland. Find out more about our coating services now.

The PlasmaCoat^® method can combine the outstanding hardness and wear resistance of thermally sprayed metal or ceramic coatings with the non-stick and sliding properties of polymers (both fluoropolymers and other polymers). By choosing the right combination of plasma coating and polymer, we are able to achieve very good traction characteristics. PlasmaCoat^® is an Aalberts Surface Treatment coating family name and does not necessarily describe the thermal spray process used.

Special polymers (fluoropolymers, such as PTFE) are used to reduce the surface energy of the substrate surface and that effectively prevents many substances - e.g. foods, adhesive, rubber or plastic - from sticking. The choice of non-stick coating from the hundreds available to Aalberts Surface Treatment Tamworth is made based on experience and knowledge on how different fluoropolymers behave in different applications. For example, we have over two dozen different PTFE formulations each with unique non-stick and release properties. Trade names include Xylan^®, Teflon^® and Greblon^®.

FEP coatings are using fluoropolymers that create excellent non-stick properties and are especially useful in food production. FEP stands for Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene and is of the same family of coatings as PTFE. It is a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene.

PTFE is the original fluoropolymer. A fluoropolymer being a compound with a Fluorine atom in it. PTFE has excellent low friction properties and non-stick properties.

Although PTFE does have more porosity than other coatings in the fluoropolymer family as a rule, it does have a long and successful track record. Dry lubrication is a key performance area, either on its own or mixed with other dry lubrication coatings such as Graphite or Molybdenum Disulphide. PTFE is harder than its sister fluoropolymers PFA and FEP.

Our ability to choose the best coating system for a particular application comes from many years of experience and a comprehensive knowledge of our industry. We won’t simply offer you the cheapest coating or the one that suits us – we’ll offer you what we believe is the best for the job. So don’t be surprised if we ask you lots of questions as we need to fully understand your problem and requirements. As a key industrial coating solutions company, we take pride in our workmanship.

We have a close working relationship with Whitford, who manufacture fluoropolymer coatings under the Xylan^® brand, and with Chemours, who manufacture the Teflon^® range of coatings. This ensures we are kept abreast of the latest developments in coating technology.

It is a common misconception that Xylan^® or Teflon^® is an individual, specific coating. In fact, they are brand names which cover a huge range of fluoropolymer coating systems. A fluoropolymer has a Fluorine atom in it – hence the F in PTFE for example. The system may consist of a single layer, two layers or even three or more layers. The coatings themselves are based on different resins, such as PAI (polyamide-imide), PPS (polyphenylene sulphide), epoxy and polyurethane.

In addition to resins and fluoropolymers, the coating systems have additives, pigments and fillers to achieve specific properties: corrosion protection, abrasion resistance, electrical conductivity / resistance, lubricity, aesthetics, non-stick, thickness, colour. The ratios of these various ingredients are varied to achieve different results. All of this is carried out by the coating manufacturers.

But you need not be concerned about choosing the best coating system – we’ll take care of that as part of our holistic coating services.

• Heat Seal Bars
• Rollers
• Augers
• Subsea Equipment
• Coil Springs
• Hoppers
• Vacuum Forming Seal Tools
• Blades
• Aviation Components
• Rubber Moulds
• PU Moulds
• Aviation Sanitary Equipment
• Food Moulds
• Valve Bodies