Coatings fill the performance gap

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 1, 2006

When compared with traditional fluoropolymer types, Vicote coatings are the ideal choice for automotive, industrial, consumer cookware and food processing applications.

Victrex has released the next generation of coatings featuring durability and high performance for long life.

Launched under the brand name Vicote coatings, this remarkable new product line, when compared with traditional fluoropolymer coatings, is the ideal choice for automotive, industrial, consumer cookware, and food processing applications.

"We are excited to introduce this innovative product to coaters and OEMs around the world", says Andrew Storm, Manager of Victrex's Global Ventures Business.

"Vicote coatings are a new product line invented to fill the performance gap found in many existing coating technologies today.

Whether it is applied to cookware, piping, or automotive parts, it is a great choice for engineers looking to improve the overall wear and life of their applications".

The key ingredient of Vicote coatings is Victrex Peek polymer, a linear, aromatic, semicrystalline polymer widely regarded as one of the highest performing thermoplastics in the world - also made by Victrex.

Tests have revealed that Vicote coatings have the potential to extend the life of applications by between 50 and 200% due to its excellent scratch, wear, heat, and chemical resistance.

It also offers excellent adhesion to the substrate, negating the need for a primer during the coating process.

The ability to apply a Vicote coating without the need of a primer, and the ability to achieve very thin coatings all contribute to reductions in systems costs.

Manufacturers are already looking at ways to re-design their systems using Vicote coatings", says Storm.

"They are re-esigning using Vicote coating as a stand-alone application or as a complimentary material to be used with other coatings, such as fluoropolymers.

They are finding success across industry segments in applications such rice cookers, frying pans, food processing belts, and industrial parts".

Victrex has launched two series of coatings: Vicote coatings 700 and 800 Series.

The 700 Series is a range of powders for electrostatic coating depending on the coating thickness required.

Vicote coatings 800 Series are completely new dispersions where thinner coatings are required or where difficult geometries must be coated and which have been formulated to enhance the properties of the pure Vicote products.

A pure Victrex Peek-based dispersion (Vicote 804) is also currently available.

The new 800 series dispersion products will enable customers to enter markets and applications that traditionally have been the preserve of fluoropolymers.

Vicote coatings are resistant to chemicals such as salts, water/steam, alkalis, acids, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

They are dishwasher safe and FDA food contact approved.

Victrex has established a new coating facility at its UK headquarters with capacity production already at an estimated 100 tonnes of annum.

The technical team is responsible for the development of new dispersions and dry powder blends; the manufacture of dispersion products; coating selected parts using electrostatic powders coating and dispersion coating techniques; and application performance testing.

"Vicote coatings' manufacturing and supply chain is integrated with our existing Victrex Peek supply chain, and this ensures that our customers will receive the same level of support and delivery that they have come to expect from Victrex, no matter where they are in the world.

Victrex delivers within seven business days", continues Storm.

The company already has three manufacturing plants (powder, melt filtration, and compounding) dedicated to the manufacture of Victrex Peek polymer.

A fourth facility is being constructed for additional polymer powder manufacturing.

The new plant will have the capacity to supply 1450 tonnes per annum.

This will be in addition to the 2800 tonnes per annum of its existing polymer plant.