polymer coatings
what is polymer coating?
The coating of any material with a polymer describes the process of polymer coating. Due to the wide range of process variants, we can meet different requirements for components. What type of surface coating is suitable for my application? It is not always easy to find a straightforward answer to this question, especially when it comes to the wide range of possible polymer coating processes. However, the number of possible coating options can be narrowed down quite well by our experienced experts. Before we make a final decision, we often test different solutions by means of sample coating processes.
everyday polymer surface coatings: PTFE coatings
PTFE in PTFE coatings stands for polytetrafluorethylene, a semi-crystalline polymer consisting of fluorine and carbon. When heated, the consistency of PTFE becomes soft and rubbery, but usually not meltable or liquid. PTFE has anti-adhesive properties and can hardly be wetted. It can be subjected to a wide range of temperatures (continuous service temperatures: from approx. -200 °C to 250 °C; temporary exposure: up to 300 °C; crystallite melting point: 327 °C); PTFE is almost incombustible. All of these properties make PTFE polymer coatings ideal for the coating of frying pans, for example. Thus, PTFE coating processes are part of our everyday life.
high-quality polymer and fluoropolymer coatings for almost all base materials
Our robust and partially patented premium polymer surface coatings are applied onto the workpieces using special coating methods. Our special technique ensures long-lasting coatings which become extremely well anchored in a wide variety of base materials:
- Steel
- Stainless steel
- Ceramics
- Plastics
- Copper
- Aluminum
As an industry leading polymer and fluoropolymer coating manufacturer, we can offer products for a wide array of applications. Our customers from the chemical industry order this type of protective coating for containers, pipelines, valves or sensitive probes. Anti-friction and non-stick coatings prevent the formation of deposits, an indispensable feature in this area.
In electrical engineering applications, the thickness of polymer coatings determines the degree of insulation of battery connectors or bus bars. When it comes to electroplating, the electrical insulation and non-stick properties have proven to be ideal for bathroom radiators, racks and wash baskets. Surface coatings in medical industries on medical instruments, such as tweezers, grips for pliers or electrode spoons, have insulating and dirt-repellent effects and are able to withstand sterilization temperatures.
polymer coatings have many significant advantages
Even extremely adhesive materials will not adhere to polymer coatings. The result: significantly reduced cleaning efforts and a lower consumption of cleaning and release agents. Thus, it is possible to effectively shorten and reduce machine downtimes caused by maintenance work or soiling. Since PTFE or PFA coatings enhance the surface quality of your components, this effect will be further intensified.
With a roughness of partially below 1.0 µm and a virtually pore-free surface, our high-performance polymer coatings get their job done with minimum sliding friction. Our experienced specialists will define the values for your individual application. To ensure excellent protection against wear, we apply additional reinforcement layers.
Fluoropolymer coatings offer first-class protection against atmospheric corrosion, contact corrosion and condensation corrosion. Depending on the specific coating material and individual conditions, the thickness of the protective coatings may vary between 5 and 1500 µm.
Viscoelastic polymers are characterized by excellent resistance to halogens and solvents as well as by high resistance to acids/alkalis (up to pH 12). They do not have any difficulty whatsoever in withstanding temperatures between -40 °C and +290 °C.
PTFE coatings: No adhesions during work with rubber
Teflon® coatings stand out with their excellent non-stick properties: Even tricky ingredients, such as adhesive or rubber, will not adhere to the hydrophobic surface finish. Teflon® was originally developed for cookware. Today, we use the 5 to 50 µm thick synthetic surface coating in single-, double- and three-layer systems, which allows us to cover a broad range of possibilities. PTFE coatings can be applied to workpieces in dimensions of up to 10 x 3 x 3 meters.
overview MagnaCoat® and TempCoat®
Process | How it works | Characteristics | Base materials |
MagnaCoat® | Electrostatic application followed by thermal melting | – corrosion protection – good non-stick properties – high dielectric strength – excellent barrier properties for chemical resistance | – aluminum – steel – stainless steel – other alloys |
TempCoat® | Created in special polymer and fluoropolymer coating procedures | – high chemical resistance – excellent non-stick properties – excellent gliding properties | – aluminum – steel – stainless steel – copper – ceramics – plastics |
MagnaCoat® polymer and fluoropolymer coating
MagnaCoat® coatings are thick-film polymer and fluoropolymer coatings with a virtually pore-free surface.
MagnaCoat® coatings are thick-film polymer and fluoropolymer coatings with a virtually pore-free surface. MagnaCoat® can be applied electrostatically and is thermally melted. The coating thickness is 0.3 to 0.5 mm, depending on the heat capacity of the parts to be coated. The mechanical strength of the coating permits subsequent machining, e.g. by grinding. In this way, precise dimensional tolerances can also be achieved.
MagnaCoat® is a high-quality, thermoplastic fluoropolymer characterized by good thermal, chemical and dielectric properties. MagnaCoat® coatings offer outstanding corrosion protection, good non-stick properties and high dielectric strength, even at higher temperatures. Besides, they offer excellent barrier properties in terms of chemical resistance. The MagnaCoat® process creates virtually pore-free, non-diffusing thick-film coatings. The combination of these brilliant properties makes MagnaCoat® the ideal solution for applications subject to chemically aggressive conditions.
All materials made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel or other alloys are suitable for MagnaCoat® polymer coating.
fields of application of MagnaCoat®
MagnaCoat® is suitable for heavy-duty corrosion protection. As an innovative polymer and fluoropolymer coating manufacturer, we have been developing this polymer coating for applications which require not only chemical resistance but also non-stick properties. Besides, this type of coating can be used where the diffusion resistance of comparable coatings is not sufficient. The temperature resistance exceeds the values of the systems which are usually used in this area.
Typical applications in the chemical industry include:
- Storage containers
- Reaction vessels
- Valves
- Agitators
- Sensors
- Rotary dryers or calender rolls
TempCoat® polymer coating
TempCoat® coatings are created in special polymer and fluoropolymer coating procedures.
During the TempCoat® process, special polymer and fluoropolymer coatings are created. Due to the targeted modification of the surface structure with defined roughness profiles, the contact surface is reduced, which results in enhanced non-stick properties. Thanks to their low static and kinetic coefficients of friction, fluorinated polymer films are an indispensable coating material for a wide range of industrial applications. The slight difference between both values reduces slip-stick phenomena, which is a huge advantage when it comes to alternate movements.
TempCoat® is a fluoropolymer coating characterized by high chemical resistance and excellent non-stick and gliding properties. Multi-layer reinforcement coatings or the use of special additives, such as graphite or molybdenum disulphide, make it possible to tailor the coatings to your individual application. Thus, it is possible to improve demolding processes by multi-layer, wear-resistant non-stick systems or to use the coating’s outstanding dry lubrication properties to protect sliding applications against malfunction.
TempCoat® coatings are applied to aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, ceramics and plastics.
fields of application of TempCoat®
TempCoat® polymer coatings come into play in technical areas whenever high wear resistance and good gliding and non-stick properties are required. The efficient and trouble-free processing and transportation of metals, plastics and paper in different production processes are no longer possible without excellent anti-friction properties of surfaces which come into contact with products. Sliding bearings modified with TempCoat® are indispensable in many applications and sectors, such as the printing, bakery and chemical industries.
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frequently asked questions
MagnaCoat® fluoropolymer coatings are resistant to a wide range of chemicals, even at higher process temperatures. Metallic materials are thus better protected against attacks from acids and alkalis.
Base materials whose temperature resistance exceeds 250 °C, such as metals, ceramics and plastics, are suitable materials. In exceptional cases, it is possible to use air drying materials. Temperature-sensitive materials will then cure at ambient temperature.
Out of all the polymer coatings available, PTFE coatings have the highest continuous service temperature. Usually, these coating systems are further reinforced by additives, which results in increased abrasion resistance, which in turn increases the product’s service life.
Sometimes, the first approach does not give a clear answer, especially when it comes to the wide range of possible polymer coating processes. Although our experienced experts are quite good at narrowing down the number of possible coating options, sample coating processes with several coating varieties are often inevitable and an important part of the polymer coating manufacturing process.
process locations
Any questions? Contact us directly or select a process location near you.
Beuningen
the Netherlands 51.85577565.735604 beuningen@aalberts-st.com +31 24 677 7911 show locationCleveland (Tennessee)
United States 35.1227709-84.9104398 info@aalberts-st.us +1 423 559 9900 show locationFairburn (Georgia)
United States 33.5542357-84.5850179 info@aalberts-st.us +1 770-969-9191 show locationLandsberg am Lech
Germany 48.068575810.8542243 landsberg@aalberts-st.com +49 8191 91186 10 show locationLüneburg
Germany 53.245976910.4758467 lueneburg@aalberts-st.com +49 4131 882 10 show locationMilwaukee (Wisconsin)
United States 43.1692314-88.019432 info@aalberts-st.us +1 414 357 0260 show locationNidda
Germany 50.42982898.9779735 nidda@aalberts-st.com +49 6043 9613 0 show locationPulversheim
France 47.8338557.301753 pulversheim@aalberts-st.com +33 389 2832 80 show locationTamworth
United Kingdom 52.5839467-1.6570035 tamworth@aalberts-st.com +44 1827 871 400 show locationTatabánya
Hungary 47.582185518.3456132 tatabanya@aalberts-st.com +36 34 5146 70 show locationCanton
United States 40.786657-81.4222323 HT-AST-Canton@aalberts-st.us +1 800-648-1687 show locationLansing - bassett av
United States 42.752872-84.5756899 HT-AST-Lansing-Bassett@aalberts-st.us +1 800-648-1687 show locationUnsere Verfahren
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We offer all types of heat treatment processes. Our facilities are closely interlinked in terms of logistics, which means that all processes are available to you. For a complete list and description of heat treatment technologies please select the button.
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is used to eliminate porosity. Do you need high mechanical durability and insensitivity to high temperatures for solder joints? We at Aalberts surface technologies offer the solution through brazing.
Polymer coatings can be applied to a wide variety of base materials and offer long-lasting protection. They are particularly well anchored mechanically to the substrate. Additional enhancement layers allow non-stick coatings to be combined with improved sliding properties and/or high wear resistance.
With 40 years of experience in continuous reel to reel finishing, you can depend on Aalberts surface technologies to find innovative solutions that other companies might say are impossible. Our service includes barrel plating, continuous selective plating and rack plating.
Almost all metallic base materials can have their properties optimised by surface coatings using our proprietary and patented processes, regardless of whether they should be particularly hard, smooth, wear-resistant or corrosion-resistant.