Based out of Bicester, Oxfordshire, Powdertech Surface Science is continuing to build its reputation as the most technically advanced supplier in the powder coating Industry. The company has witnessed a marked increase in enquiries for their Titanium Zirconium (TiZr) passivation process for aluminium in the wake of the recent hexavalent chromate/chromium trioxide ban.
Being a pioneer in the powder coating industry, Powdertech Surface Science was the first site in the UK to implement only chromate-free pre-treatments in 2001. They switched to using TiZr passivation nearly 23 years before the ban of chromium trioxide by (hse.gov.uk) and have had over 20 years to optimise the process to gain the best results for their customers and the alloys they use.
TiZr passivation in relation to anodising:
Powdertech’s optimised TiZr passivation process is a suitable alternative to anodising. As the process creates a stable, protective, and chemically modified ‘shield’ layer on aluminium and unlike anodising, TiZr is not reliant on intensive energy-based processes and is therefore more energy efficient than anodising.
The TiZr process requires less physical handling of the metal. Welding can be performed on metal that has been TiZr-pre-treated wherein after anodising, welding is not possible. TiZr pre-treatment provides a shelf life of up to 12 months before any bonding, welding or coating is done on the aluminium, unlike anodising where aluminium needs to be bonded within hours to avoid contamination of the surface.
Powdertech Surface Science uses the latest eleven-stage Gardobond® X4591 and Gardobond® X 4707 processes. These are optimised, based on their years of experience and expertise to eliminate porosity, cracking and other defects in the metal.
Instron 34TM-50, an electromechanical universal testing machine, at Powdertech’s on-site testing lab, able to perform a wide range of mechanical tests including tensile, compression, bend, peel, tear, friction, and shear testing.
New customers often want to know the levels of bond strength they can achieve after switching to TiZr passivation, and Powdertech has multiple data sources that show bonds created after TiZr passivation are at least as strong as those created after anodising.
On-site wet lab facility at Powdertech.
Please contact Powdertech Surface Science to discuss how TiZr passivation might benefit your project. They also provide testing services and reports, to compare TiZr to other pre-treatment process you are currently using.