Hard chrome (Cr⁺⁶) provides hardness, corrosion protection and a low coefficient of friction for aircraft landing gear. However, hard chrome plating baths have to meet strict regulations from both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OSHA may limit Cr⁺⁶ to .05, which will require more equipment and expense for the plater. New high-tech materials may be a better way to handle aircraft parts.

"My company has created a revolutionary weighted exercise, weight loss and therapy vest. We have been using a tin plating for our lead weights for the prototype phase, but now that we are preparing for production, we want to find a coating and a coating method that will encapsulate the weights in a thin, durable and possibly flexible coating. What is the best coating and coating method to serve our customers and keep them safe?"

A 2.2-million-gallon unlined concrete reservoir in southern California, constructed in 1981, was experiencing problems with cracks in the floor and shell, and associated water leakage. Underwater epoxy patches applied to the cracks on the interior of the reservoir did not hold for more than a few years. A high-performance elastomeric urethane lining system, used in conjunction with a concentrated moisture barrier and epoxy primer, was recommended for this project.

Several years ago, BOLLÉ decided to automate its varnish-spraying operation for the lenses of its welding and ski goggles. Installing a robotic spraying system has allowed the manufacturer to increase quality and productivity.

When Brunner International, a family-owned manufacturer of OEM and aftermarket heavy-duty truck components, needed to upgrade its coating line to meet strict coating performance specifications from its OEM customers, the company decided to invest in a cathodic electrocoat system. The transformation has played a key role in positioning Brunner as an industry leader.

The industrial finishing market today wants it all: corrosion protection and performance under increasingly demanding conditions, a preference for cost-effective application, and more and more often, an eye toward environmentally safe application with a minimum of waste. An environmentally friendly thermal diffusion coating can help finishers achieve these goals.

What will 2008 bring for the finishing industry? Our survey of more than 200 readers provides some clues. Read this article to find out what you can expect, and how to position your company to overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.

I had the opportunity to encounter a remarkable individual this past month. What makes John so special is the philosophy he engenders in his approach to his goals. John deals in “facts and data.” John doesn’t promote any personal agenda other than finding what is best for his American-based company. His ultimate goal is seeking the truth.

Xiom Corp., a Long Island, NY-based company that manufactures plastic powder spray systems and polymer-based coatings, has been awarded grants totaling $500,000 from two New York state agencies.

An electrically heated belt conveyor oven with two decks, top-down airflow and a cool down, designed and manufactured by Wisconsin Oven, is used for curing adhesive on motorcycle rear fenders.