4 Steps to Make Nonstick Stick

1. Clean the substrate: Teflon® coatings should be applied over clean substrates. If there are any contaminants on the part, the coating will have defects and not perform as well. You can use chemical washes, solvent cleaning, or degreasing, but make sure all the residue from the cleaning has been removed. Gloves should be worn after cleaning to avoid getting fingerprints on the metal. Fingerprints and any residual oil not removed during cleaning may show up as stains on the cured coating.

2. Preheat the part: If you heat the substrate at the cure temperature for the coating, it will help remove any residual oils and minimize the effects of humidity. Also, with most ferrous metal, this step will temporarily protect against flash rusting. If you are using acid primer, the blue oxide that forms increases the adhesion of the coating.

3. Roughen the surface: Grit blasting is the most commonly used method to increase the surface profile of the substrate, improve adhesion, and remove any contaminants left over from cleaning. DuPont recommends surface profiles of at least 100 microinches (2.5 microns), and 200-250 microinches (5.1-6.5 microns) are frequently used. DuPont recommends aluminum oxide as your blast media, but there are other options such as glass beads and walnut shells. Commonly used air pressures range from 80 to 100 psi, but the pressure you use depends on your substrate. Make sure the profile is uniform and fully covers the whole surface. Excessive or high pressure grit blasting causes pits, scratches, and cuts that can result in a bad finish, so be careful not to overdo it. If your part is too small to grit blast, zinc or iron phosphate conversion coatings can be used to increase coating adhesion.

4. Cure the coating: Curing is the last step to good adhesion of your Teflon® coatings. Reaching and maintaining proper cure temperatures for a sufficient period of time to cure the coating is one of the most important factors in achieving a finish with optimal adhesion performance. Don't forget: all temperatures mentioned in the Fact Sheets refer to metal temperatures, so the part itself must reach the recommended cure temperature. Ovens should be calibrated at least twice per year, and thermocouples should be used to check part temperatures. Each coating has different curing instructions, so always check the Fact Sheets first, and always follow the cure schedule very carefully. 

Have a Blast, But Keep It Safe!

Click here to check out CoaterONE's selection of blast gloves and suits. Blast gloves keep your hands and arms safe while you’re grit blasting your substrate. Blast suits are also important to provide for your employees because they are designed specifically to protect against harsh blasting environments.

CoaterONE makes shopping for blasting equipment and other coating products easy because all the supplies you need for your shop are just a click away in a single location. If you're not sure what you need, call 302-366-8530 for help selecting products.

TCI Powder Coatings: 4000 Series Specialty Systems

In a partnership with TCI powder coatings, Intech is now offering more than 300 of the most popular TCI powder coatings in 1, 3, 5, and 10 pound boxes through a program called TruPak.  These products come from TCI's extensive portfolio and are available in a variety of textures and effects that meet the quality demands that you would expect from a powder coating supplier.

There are several powder coating series offered through TruPak, but there are also some series that are not part of this program. This article focuses on the 4000 Series Specialty Systems.

TCI's 4000 Series Specialty Systems is an extensive line of powder coating systems that have a broad formulation range and are engineered to meet unusually demanding requirements of decorative and functional applications. This series is typically recommended when conventional formulas will not meet the customer’s performance specifications. To learn more about the 4000 Series Specialty Systems or to see if one will work for your specific project, call Ken Barnes at 302-602-8731.

Powder Coating Application: Methods of Application

There are several ways to apply powder coatings. Each has its benefits, as well as its disadvantages, and which method you use depends on the job itself. Here is a quick overview of the different powder coating application methods.

Fluidized bed – Constant airflow keeps the powder circulating, then heated parts are dipped into the bed and the powder melts to the part.

Electrostatic fluidized bed – This is similar to the conventional fluidized bed, but the powder is repelled by electrostatic charges, not air, to keep it suspended.

Corona electrostatic spray – Powder particles pass through a spray gun tip that charges the powder particles, which are then attracted to an oppositely-charged substrate.

Tribomatic electrostatic spray – Electrons are stripped off the powder particles to create a charge, then they are attracted to an oppositely-charged substrate.

Hot Flocking – Preheated substrates are sprayed with powder, and it melts to the part immediately.

Flame spray – Used for thermoplastic powders, powder is propelled through a flame to melt it.

For more information about powder coating application methods, read TCI's Troubleshooting Guide. More detailed advantages and disadvantages of each method will be discussed in future blogs.

Intech Services and TCI Powder Coatings have partnered to create TruPak, a program that offers over 300 of TCI's most popular powder coatings in 1, 3, 5, and 10 pound boxes. Click here to buy TruPak powder coatings.

Oven Refurbishment - Keep Your Industrial Oven Running Like New

As we are all aware, a properly functioning oven is critical to the successful application of DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coatings. Regular preventative maintenance is an important step in this process.  But what if your oven needs more than just calibration or a few new parts?  Precision Quincy can help you regardless of the oven brand.  The case study below highlights a recent success story where Precision Quincy refurbished a 40-year-old outdated oven back to new condition. 

During a recent preventative maintenance visit with a large OEM, Precision Quincy’s Service Technician discovered the oven had an extreme amount of byproduct buildup on every moving component, which also clogged the burner itself.  Replacing the oven would have been a huge unexpected expense causing a 2-3 week shut accruing addition expenses in operational downtime.

Precision Quincy suggested oven refurbishment as an alternative to purchasing a new oven. All moving components were replaced, as well as the outdated and defective burner controls.  It only took 4 days to rebuild the oven onsite, eliminating the 2-3 weeks of operational downtime involved in purchasing a new oven.  Precision Quincy was able to save the OEM over 7 times the cost of the rebuild, including operational downtime and new oven purchase price, by choosing oven refurbishment. The refurbished industrial oven now operates like new just as it did the day it arrived, 40 years ago.

TCI Powder Coatings: 3000 Series High Temperature Systems

In a partnership with TCI powder coatings, Intech is now offering more than 300 of the most popular TCI powder coatings in 1, 3, 5, and 10 pound boxes through a program called TruPak.  These products come from TCI's extensive portfolio and are available in a variety of textures and effects that meet the quality demands that you would expect from a powder coating supplier.

There are several powder coating series offered through TruPak, but there are also some series that are not part of this program. These products are available in larger sizes by calling Ken Barnes at 302-602-8731. This article focuses on the 3000 High Temperature Systems.

TCI's 3000 Series High Temperature Systems is an extensive line of thermoset powder coatings for high temperature applications. The 100, 200, 300 series offer varying degrees of temperature resistance. These products can be formulated in a wide range of colors, gloss, and surface finishes.  

100 Series:

Used for many applications where parts will be subject to moderate temperature ranges, typically in the range of 400F – 650F. Applications include exterior of ovens, underhood car components, and lighting applications.

200 Series:

Ideal for higher temps applications that can subjected to temperatures up to 800F. Applications include BBQ grills, stoves, and engine parts.

300 Series:

For extreme high temperature applications that can withstand upwards of over 1100F. Although you may see a slight change in color and gloss, this product line holds tight to the surface for ultimate protection. Applications include mufflers and engine components.

To see more information on the 3000 series, please visit TCI's website.

Properties of Teflon: Unique Electrical Properties

DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coatings are highly durable and long lasting performance coatings that have a distinct application process and qualities that offer solutions in a variety of industrial markets.   This series of blogs will highlight one of these inherent properties of Teflon®  coatings and how these properties can solve a variety of problems. 

Unique Electrical Properties: Over a wide range of frequencies, DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coatings have a high dielectric strength, low dissipation factor, and high surface resistivity.  Dielectric strength is the highest voltage that the coating can withstand before it breaks down. The low dissipation factor means that the absorbed energy dissipated as heat is low. PFA and ETFE have the highest dielectric strength at almost 2,000 volts per mil. However, in order to achieve these results, the coatings must be completely pinhole-free, so multiple coats are usually recommended.

To see all properties of DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coatings, click here.

Meet Amy and Joe

As a part of our on-going communication with customers, we like to take the time to hightlight the strong partnership that exists between Intech and DuPont.  An important apect of this bond is the Teflon® coating expertise we receive from them.  As DuPont enters a transition in leadership,  Amy Moore and Joe McClung will help to make this change a smooth one.  New to the fluoropolymer solutions division, Amy and Joe will be available to assist our staff with all customer needs.  Please read on to learn more about Amy and Joe.

Amy Moore:
Amy's official job title is DuPont Industrial Finishes and Consumer Products Account Manager.  She will be responible for supporting Intech with any product questions and needs so that we can help YOU, our customers.  As a liason for DuPont, Amy will provide assistance to our sales team and sales program.  With a Chemical Engineering Degree from Drexel University, Amy began her career with DuPont in June 1992.  Some of Amy's career hightlights with DuPont include her first 10 years in technical roles at DuPont's plant in Deepwater, NJ.  During that time, Amy worked 12 hour shifts (days and nights) as team manager of operations on a start up.  Amy has been married for 21 years and has two sons-Nick (17), Dominic (16) and a daughter-Sydney (12).  During her free time, Amy enjoys spending time in Ocean City, NJ, watching her son's soccer games and her daughter's dance recitals.  Amy is also an active supporter of local fundraisers that benefit autism.

Amy can be reached at amy.c.moore@dupont.com.
 

Joseph McClung:
Joe's official title with DuPont is North American Business and Market Manager for Industrial Finishes (IF) & Release Coatings (RC) and Surface Protection Solutions (SPS).  He is responsible for the financial growth and profitability of both the IF & RC and SPS businesses.  This includes helping to manage the marketing and technical initiatives that help DuPont acheive their financial goals. As a result, Joe helps Intech be competitively balanced in the industrial finishes market.  Joe holds a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and an MBA from Drexel University.  Before starting at DuPont in April of 1999, Joe spent more than six years in the US Army, deployed to both Haiti and Kuwait.  One of the hightlights of Joe's military career includes meeting Presidents Carter, Bush (Sr.), and Clinton during his deployment.  "A very cool experience," says Joe.  Married for 20 years, Joe has one son, Carter (17) and one daughter, Caroline (16).  Duing his free time, Joe enjoys all types of college sports, especially wrestling.  His son is an accomplished high school wrestler with aspirations of wrestling in college.  He travels every March to see the NCAA Division 1 wrestling championship.  When he is not watching sports, Joe has taken up brewing his own beer, a new favorite hobby. 

Joe can be reached at Joseph.A.McClung@dupont.com.

Help us in welcoming Amy and Joe to the DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions family.

Tony's Recipe of the Month: Spaghetti alla Checca

Tony Abato, our VP of Sales here at Intech Services, and an amazing Italian chef, will be sharing one of his delicious recipes every month. Trust us, you don't want to miss out on what Tony's cooking! 

Spaghetti alla Checca

Ingredients:
3 pounds Italian Roma tomatoes - fresh
Garlic - minced
Basil - fresh, chopped
Parmegiano e reggiano - grated
Cracked black pepper
Salt
Extra virgin olive oil


Preparation: 

You need a pot of boiling water and a bowl of cold water with ice in it. Cut a little "X" into the skin at the bottom end of each tomato. Put the tomatoes one at a time in boiling water for thirty seconds to a minute. It should be just long enough to see the skin begin to split. Remove with a slotted spoon and throw in the cold water for a minute. To separate the skin from the tomatoes, cut the hard stem end off and squeeze. The whole tomato should slip out of the skin easily.

Cut off the hard, often discolored, stem end of each tomato and discard. Cut the tomato in half length-wise, scrape the core off the insides, and discard. Take the tomato halves, cut in strips lengthwise, and dice in 1/4 inch pieces. 

Combine the tomatoes and the rest of the ingredients (minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, grated parmegiano e reggiano, cracked black pepper, salt, and extra virgin olive oil). Let it marinate for half a day in a colander sitting on a plate. When ready to serve, roll hot, lightly-buttered spaghetti into the sauce. Add a little extra cheese at the table.

Keep checking the blog to see Tony's Recipe of the Month.  Did you try this recipe?  Let us know what you thought of it or if you have questions for the chef, post them below!

Powder Coating Application: Pretreatment

Pretreating a substrate for powder coating is an important step in the application process. Powder coating a substrate with contaminants on the surface will result in poor performance of the coating. Here is an overview of the pretreatment step for powder coatings:

1. Clean the substrate to remove all contaminants, including soils, oils, oxides, and smut. Titration readings measure the total alkalinity or acidity levels. Even if the titration readings are fine, watch out for sludge or soil buildup in tanks that because it will reduce the cleaning activity.

2. Rinse the substrate to remove any remaining contaminated solutions from the surface. It also adjusts the pH for the next step.

Conversion coatings are a film which changes the physical and chemical nature of the metal surface. A clean surface is required for the reaction. You might need conversion coatings for your application.

Common types of conversion coatings:

• Iron phosphate for ferrous metals
• Zinc phosphate for ferrous metals
• Chromate conversion for aluminum
• Manganese phosphate

For more information about pretreating for powder coatings, read TCI's Troubleshooting Guide.

Intech Services and TCI Powder Coatings have partnered to create TruPak, a program that offers over 300 of TCI's most popular powder coatings in 1, 3, 5, and 10 pound boxes. Click here to buy TruPak powder coatings.

Teflon Technical FAQ: Rough Texture

Every day at Intech we receive requests for technical help with DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coatings.  If you have a technical question, please feel free to call and speak to one of our technical sales representatives.  Once a month, we post a frequently asked question here on our blog. 

Question: My part appears to have a rough texture. What causes this?

Answer: The DuPont™ Teflon® industrial coating should be smooth and have a soft touch to it. This usually happens when the part is under-baked. Use a thermocouple to make sure the part temperature is correct. When the fact sheet refers to the cure time, it is talking about the temperature of the part's substrate NOT the oven temperature. Another issue that could cause under-baking, is your oven is not calibrated properly. 

If you need more help, call us at 302-366-8530.

Holiday Schedule for Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!

Intech's office will be closed on Thursday July 3rd and Friday July 4th.

Have a great holiday weekend!

TCI Powder Coatings: 2000 Series Acrylic Systems

In a partnership with TCI powder coatings, Intech is now offering more than 300 of the most popular TCI powder coatings in 1, 3, 5, and 10 pound boxes through a program called TruPak.  These products come from TCI's extensive portfolio and are available in a variety of textures and effects that meet the quality demands that you would expect from a powder coating supplier.

There are several powder coating series offered through TruPak, but there are also some series that are not part of this program. These products are available in larger sizes by calling Ken Barnes at 302-602-8731. This article focuses on the 2000 Series Acrylic Systems.

2000 Series Acrylic Systems: TCI offers an extensive line of high performance acrylic powder coatings, which are available in many color and finish options, including clear coats. The 2000 line has excellent weathering properties and can be ideal for outdoor and indoor applications. They also have a broad formulation range and can meet many decorative application requirements and are commonly used in the automotive industry. 

GenX Transition Update: 958G-406

GenX: DuPont has committed to no longer make, buy or use perfluorooctanoic acid, (PFOA) by 2015, or earlier if possible. A new DuPont technology includes a processing aid that enables DuPont to make fluoropolymers without the use of PFOA. With this new technology, DuPont has commercialized products for Industrial Fluoropolymers.  

Intech will be converting customers to the use of fluoropolymers made with GenX technology as these products become available and as our stock of the current products are depleted.  We will make announcements as each one of our products transition to the new GenX product.  The codes for the products are also transitioning.  

Based on internal testing, DuPont expects that the new products can be used as replacements for the historical products with minimal processing adjustments. 

Please also note that sales of these products will now be priced and packaged in kilograms (kg) instead of liquid weights (gallons).  

Products being transitioned:                                             

958-406

New Code:
958G-406