Surface Technology plus PCE – focusing on the latest trends

Surface technology – environmental protection pays off

Developments in the field of environmentally-friendly surfaces are proceeding at a fast pace. New developments include innovative coating technology, efficient materials such as water-based and powder coatings, new electroplating coatings, plasma surface technology and nano coatings. The leading trade fair for surface technology – SurfaceTechnology plus Powder Coating Europe – will be focusing on the latest trends from 16 – 20 April 2007 in Hall 6 at HANNOVER MESSE (the Hannover Fair).

Water-based and powder coatings have not only become popular because of the introduction of the regulation to reduce emissions from solvents (VOC Directive from 2001). The toxic-free and, therefore, environmentally-friendly coatings are also simple to use and help save energy and raw materials. For example, it would now be inconceivable to coat aircraft interiors without these coatings. Airbus teamed up with specialists from the coating industry to develop new coating procedures to be able to use the environmentally-friendly coatings as efficiently as possible.

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment estimates that around 50 percent of solvent-based conventional coatings in industry have been replaced by these “environmental coatings.” Experts believe that emissions from coating processes will drop by at least 40 percent by the end of 2007 – thanks in particular to special water-based coating systems, modern powder coating technologies, overspray recycling and other alternative hybrid processes. Nevertheless, this does not mean the coating industry can sit back and relax, as Robert Kirchner, management consultant for the coating industry, explains: “We still need new innovations because the solvent-based coatings cannot be completely replaced, even though the new processes and materials are good alternatives. For example, particularly in the automotive industry and in plastic coating processing, suitable replacements for solvent-based coatings, such as clear varnish, have not yet been found.”

To comply with the new environmental directive, companies are using innovative processes, which have the added benefit of increasing the profitability and efficiency of production. “Shorter innovation times, increasing demands on quality and changes in statutory regulations are encouraging the development of new solutions and processes,” explains Kirchner.

The new systems enable toxic substances to be filtered out of the waste water, which means that 70 percent of the water can be returned to production. In other words, water consumption and, therefore, the amount of waste water produced, is reduced by 70 percent (source: OFTECH Oberflächentechnik GmbH). Developments in traditional electroplating technology are currently focusing on using new and improved processes to create thin coating layers. At present, a company in Baden-Württemberg is leading the way with a patented process. Experts have designed a closed electroplating coating system – a specially designed coating center – that achieves a very environmentally-friendly surface condition that is also cost-effective and very accurate. The special thing about this process is that parts are not coated in an open tank, as is the case with traditional electroplating technology. Instead, process and flushing liquids in a closed system are pumped straight into the coating cell using vacuum technology. This results in faster process times, excellent reproducibility, and low emissions. Partial coating, for example, makes aluminum components more resistant to wear and corrosion, which means they are a good alternative to products made of stainless steel.

In addition to traditional electroplating technology, industrial plasma surface technology is important for creating thin coating layers. A wide range of processes is used to successfully protect mechanical components and chassis parts against corrosion and wear, helping prevent billions of euros of damage each year. And what’s more, plasma surface technology is also used successfully in the production of data storage devices and display systems for communication technology.

In this sector, like many others, nanotechnology will be the key to future developments in surface technology. Even today, it is hard to imagine modern coating technology without nano products. They are very scratch-resistant, dirt- and dust-repellent, and offer excellent opportunities for the future of surface conditioning. This is why such a large area is dedicated to the “SchauPlatz NANO” display at SurfaceTechnology plus Powder Coating Europe.

About HANNOVER MESSE (the Hannover Fair)
The world’s leading exhibition for industrial technology takes place annually in Hannover, Germany. The next show will be staged from 16 to 20 April 2007, with Turkey as its official Partner Country. The lineup of flagship fairs taking place under the umbrella of HANNOVER MESSE 2007 is as follows:
INTERKAMA+ • Factory Automation • Industrial Building Automation • MDA ­ Motion, Drive & Automation • Digital Factory • Subcontracting • Energy • Pipeline Technology •  ComVac • Surface Technology plus Powder Coating Europe • MicroTechnology  • Research & Technology. HANNOVER MESSE will focus in particular on industrial automation, power transmission and control, energy technologies, subcontracting and services, as well as cutting-edge technologies.