Qualicoat Raising the Standard

Despite the current economic downturn in the construction industry, Qualicoat UK & Ireland members continue to work together to ensure that architectural coatings are supplied in a consistent and high quality finish. Well over half of all the commercial aluminium used today comes from Qualicoat registered powder coaters. Whilst quality of finish is paramount, finishing is achieved with increased levels of efficiency, reduced energy requirements and with minimal impact on our environment.

Powder coating has been around since the mid 1950’s, initially originating in the USA where car manufacturers were seeking the ‘holy grail’ of a one coat finish which eliminated the use of toxic suspension systems, as used in wet painting systems. Since the 1950’s, today’s powder coat plants has become one of the cleanest and safest places to work. Product life expectancy has increased considerably, with architectural powder coating now achieving guarantees of over 30 years on finish appearance and adhesion, with minimal, but regular, cleaning and maintenance.

Qualicoat head office, based in Zurich, has recently rewritten the standard which needs to be achieved for membership of the organisation. The latest standard is available as a download on the Qualicoat website. Now in its 12th Edition, the revised standard was issued on the 1st September 2009. The standard covers both equipment requirements and procedural requirements which need to be met. Only when these have been independently inspected and approved by Exova, Qualicoat UK & Ireland’s accredited independent testing organisation, can a member offer material with a Qualicoat label.

The all important metal pre-treatment tanks now use less chemicals, with some chemical pre-treatment systems offering a ‘chromate free’ solution which offers the same levels of surface protection. Water used in the process is now recycled several times over and outfall from the process, whilst not recommended for drinking, is almost as clean as the water entering the plant.

As polyester powder is applied electrostatically, there are no harmful emissions and with today’s quick and efficient spray booths waste powder is significantly reduced. One of the highest costs for a powder coater is the running of curing ovens running at approximately 190 degrees Celsius. These have also changed significantly over the last few years, and have become much more efficient with heat recovery systems and improved insulation.

The UK is taking the lead in further development of the international standard. Mo Panam, a Qualicoat UK & Ireland member, is the Technical Chairman for Qualicoat Europe and his role is to oversee the many working groups across Europe who work together to further our understanding of both quality issues and the sustainability of powder coating as the perfect finish for architectural metalwork. In order to offer further guidance on the use and maintenance of powder coat finishes for architectural use, Qualicoat UK & Ireland have produced four ‘guidance notes’ which are available as downloads from the association’s new website.

Eventually, at the end of a product’s long and low maintenance life, recycling the aluminium systems which have been powder coating is easily achieved. As the metal is brought up to melt temperature the coating simply burns off with with fumes from the process being fully combusted and the exhaust filtered to meet the highest environmental standards.

Qualicoat’s rigorous specifications and independent inspection procedures ensure that all applicators work to the same high standard. Qualicoat members pride themselves at being at the forefront of quality whilst ensuring processes minimise impact on the environment and remain competitive with the only premium being that of the quality supplied.

Qualicoat UK & Ireland urge specifiers to always ask for the Qualicoat standard when ordering powder coat finishes. The specification does not carry a premium price but does offer a premium product.

Current news and information on architectural powder coating is frequently updated on the UK website at www.qualicoatuki.org. The European website offers the complete specification which can be found at www.qualicoat.net. Further information on the independent testing house, Exova can be found on their website at www.exova.com. Printed literature and telephone support is available from Qualicoat UK and Ireland’s Head Office in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.