New ideas and approaches in coating applications. Hear from our engineers, coaters, maskers and quality managers about the industrial coating application challenges they are working to solve every day at Advanced Industrial Coatings.
Advanced Thinking / The Blog from Advanced Industrial Coatings, Inc.
New Uses for Halar® ECTFE Coatings - If You Know How
AIC Staff Writers, September 2013
As you know, Halar® ECTFE is an excellent coating for traditional chemical, biotech and pharmaceutical applications. We talked to Dave Arney, COO of Advanced Industrial Coatings, in Stockton CA, about newer applications for Halar. He had a couple of ideas, but cautioned that while Halar is a high-performance, versatile coating, it’s not the most straightforward coating to apply.
AIC Clean Room, Nylon Coating Services featured in Products Finishing Magazine
AIC Staff Writers, September 2013
Haven’t read the newest edition of Products Finishing Magazine? Then you haven’t seen their article Coater is Getting Healthy in the Central Valley, about the work we’re doing here at AIC.
The article focuses on our progressive and exemplary work in applying coatings for the medical industry. It also has some great pictures - one of our control room, and several of medical parts we work on - images you wouldn’t see unless you’ve visited our Stockton, CA facility.
PFOA and the Nonstick Cookware Wars
AIC Staff Writers, August 2013
Over the last 10 years, PTFE-coated cookware has taken a beating in the press, and rather unfairly. While it’s true that in some contexts, it’s possible for a PTFE coating to expose an end-user to PFOA, here's the truth about PTFE-coated nonstick cookware.
The science on the PFOA issue has been clear since 2006. Everyone agrees, including the EPA -
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There has never been any PFOA detected in nonstick cookware during tests conducted under normal cooking conditions.
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PTFE-coated nonstick cookware doesn’t pose a health risk when used properly.
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Based on these and other facts, government agencies have stated that they don’t recommend discontinuing use of PTFE-coated cookware.
New Product Alert: Corrosion Resistant Coating from DuPont
AIC Staff Writers, August 2013
Intech Services has recently released a remarkable new coating from DuPont: the first water-based, low VOC, easy-to-use coating with corrosion resistance of up to 3,000 salt spray hours. The coating was designed for offshore, chemical processing and water treatment fasteners, but it’s generating buzz from many sectors.
RoHS 2: More Medical Instruments and Electronic Devices Fall Into Scope
AIC Staff Writers, September 2013
In June of 2011, the European Union published an updated and expanded version of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, which became effective on January 1, 2013. Until now, many American manufacturers haven’t had to worry about RoHS, either because they don’t sell products in the EU or because those products didn’t fall within the original scope of RoHS.
Chemical Resistance Coatings Review: Best Coatings, New Solutions
AIC Staff Writers, October 2013
If you work with coatings that provide chemical resistance, then you’re probably always on the lookout for a coating that will last longer, resist better, and deliver more of the secondary properties you need (such as nonstick, autoclavability, etc.).
Considering a switch in order to save costs or get better functionality? Read our guide to chemical-resistant coatings to find new directions to explore.
Industrial Coating for Dielectric Strength: 4 Crucial Things to Consider
AIC Staff Writers, October 2013
Not all coatings with “high dielectric strength” are created equal. We talked to Dave Arney, our COO, about the different coatings and different issues that can arise when coating for dielectric strength. Here’s what you need to know:
Get Rid of your Pinhole Problem in 4 Simple Steps
AIC Staff Writers, November 2013
We hate pinholes. And if you’re reading this, we’re guessing you do too. Pinholes have many causes, so it could be that after years of coating a part with the exact same process, suddenly you have a pinhole problem.
Want to get to the bottom of your pinhole problem fast? Go through our checklist of causes, in the order listed.
Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Barriers: What to Consider, and Coatings that Work
AIC Staff Writers, December 2013
If you’re in the semiconductor, automotive or aviation industry, or especially if you’re doing anything with rollers, the thermal properties of the coatings you use are probably pretty important. Whether you need a thermal barrier or high thermal conductivity, here are the main issues and key coatings to consider.
Industrial PPS / Ryton® Polymer Coatings: When to Use
AIC Staff Writers, December 2013
Industries that demand a lot from their coatings - such as automotive, chemical processing, and commercial bakeware - make extensive use of polyphenylene sulfide (also known as PPS or under the brand name Ryton®). But even if your part isn’t exposed to extreme chemicals or extreme wear, PPS could still be the best choice. It’s relatively cost-effective, and it’s a top performer in several property categories (learn more below). It can also be used as a primer or a top-coat for your current coating, making it last longer or work more effectively.
Xylan Coatings: Uses Beyond Low Friction
by AIC Staff Writers, February 2014
In the world of low friction coatings, Xylan® is a superstar. A PTFE product (with mixes of PFA, FEP and other nonsticks), Xylan is a high performance thin film with serious release properties and excellent durability. However, you might be surprised to learn that underneath the slick surface, Xylan offers a wide range of additional properties that make it an excellent choice for needs beyond nonstick.
Hybrid Industrial Coatings: Advantages and Drawbacks
by AIC Staff Writers, February 2014
If you can’t find a coating that delivers all the properties you need, you might be starting to think about hybrid coatings (also known as composite coatings or custom blends). While it sounds like what you should get from a hybrid is a super-coating that delivers more than any one coating alone, that’s not always the case. Find out why many hybrid coatings don’t deliver what you think they should - and discover the few that do.
New Photos!
by AIC Staff Writers, March 2014
Check out our latest photos. AIC does coating applications for a wide range of industries - including automotive, aviaton, food processing, energy, semiconductor, robotics, and more. But our latest photos showcase two parts that come out of our medical coating applications division - which processes critical multi-use medical devices. Both of the parts photographed make use of our environmentaly climate controlled area for scientific and medical applications. Check out the detail and precision of these applications!
Saving Costs on Coating Applications - Smart Moves and Risky Ones
by AIC Staff Writers, April 2014
When it comes to high-quality coating applications for industrial and medical parts, cost is always top of mind. That’s what the bidding process is all about. But what if you’re stuck in a position where your costs seem to exceed your budget no matter what supplier you talk to? We talked to Dave Arney, COO and Steve Hockett, VP of production, about smart and risky ways to make significant cuts in cost.
AIC Announces ISO 9001:2008 Recertification
by AIC Staff Writers, May 2014
Advanced Industrial Coatings is one of the few industrial coating applicators on the west coast that is certified under the ISO 9001 standard, and we have more new clients requiring ISO certification than ever before. Although global manufacturers have long-understood the long-term cost benefit associated with hiring ISO-certified suppliers, smaller start-up manufacturers and existing companies looking to produce leaner are getting in on the secret.
The AIC Top Ten
by AIC Staff Writers, June 2014
We asked - they answered. We talked with our clients about the top reasons they continue to choose Advanced Industrial Coatings for their industrial or medical coating applications. Here, in a nutshell, is what we found out:
Release Coating Review: Xylan® XLR
AIC Staff Writers, July 2013
If release coatings are critical to any aspect of your production, you are probably wondering why somebody hasn’t developed a coating that doesn’t have to be reapplied as regularly as you change your socks. It’s frustrating, costly, and simply put, a major inconvenience. Well, guess what? Somebody has.
Whitford Corporation’s Xylan® XLR nonstick coating maintains its release properties 50 times longer than whatever coating you’re using right now. Full disclosure, we have a working relationship with Whitford. But that doesn’t change the fact that their Xylan XLR has revolutionized the world of release coatings. Read how after the jump...
