Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Plaforization and Ecophor
1998
Q. Have you ever heard of a company named Pai-Kor from Italy? They have two products: Plaforization and Ecophor. It was being introduced at the Powder Coating Show back in September in Indianapolis. Here are its marketed characteristics / benefits:
- Only one treatment stage
- Operates at room temperature
- Creates no effluent, no solid waste
- Never change the treating solution
- No rinsing
- "Simple to operate"
- No CFCs, HAPs, HHCs, aromatics, chrome, ozone-depleting substances
- Treats a variety of shapes and metals simultaneously
- Excellent temporary corrosion resistance before painting
It is supposably has been around in Italy and Europe since the 1960s and is in operating in over 400 sites. However, there aren't any sites in the US yet. This sounds too good to be true. How can I find out if and/or how well this product works without going to Europe to see for myself? Would it be wise to invest in this technology?
Eric Lynch, General Manager
A. Hi. One of the more intriguing ideas behind this technology is that (at least in theory) the oil on the parts is plasticized by the solvents and becomes part of the topcoat, so oil doesn't have to be skimmed and the process can run in equilibrium. Another is that, since it is water-free, the issue of flash rusting is minimized. Youtube video www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwGnyqmg75Q introduces the process. A potential downside, but I just don't know, is whether the secret solvent may eventually be found to not be so safe and environmentally friendly after all -- that has pretty much been the history of solvents for many decades :-) There are a number of one-step proprietary pretreatments claiming the same advantages, and which may or may not be based on the same technology (who can say when everything is held as secret?), including products from International Chemicals, Sanchem, and Chemetall. Let's try to keep the discussion generic rather than trying to compare one secret proprietary mix to another. Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. There is an article on page 60 in "Products Finishing" (January 2001). We ourselves have just purchased a new phosphate line, and wish I was aware of this process prior. I'm sure that there are some limitations to this process depending on what type of product and its specifications that are required. The article gives a brief summary of the company that has instituted this process and how it has accounted for absolutely no waste water discharge. Almost sounds too good to be true. If you come across any more relevant information on this coating process, please list it so that I may be able to research it further. Hope this helps.
William Gipson, Metallurgical Technician- Grand Haven, Michigan
2001
Q. Hello,
I too am interested in switching our line over to this Plaforization process. Do anyone have anymore information? Does it work as advertised? Any drawbacks?
Thanks for any help.
- Brantford, Ontario, Canada
2006
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Ed. note: Please try to keep the discussion generic, and speak of one-step solvent-based phosphate substitutes rather than brands :-)
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