“In addition to improved energy efficiency, our tests have
shown that thanks to the co-cure process, the intercoat adhesion
is enhanced, thus improving mechanical performance,” said Mr.
Ardourel, explaining the advantages of being able to cure both
coatings in one step.
Furthermore, superior performance is achieved when bonding
with structural adhesives as well.
Sustainable and economical coating strategy
Technical progress and further development are also a firm feature in the corporate strategy of the BBL Oberflächentechnik
group. The company, located in Roth south of Nürnberg, Germany, specializes in job-coating and surface treatment for various clients.
Aside from various blasting operations, such as shotblasting,
carbon dioxide blasting and sandblasting, their product portfolio comprises a wide variety of coating solutions for part weights
up to 20 tons.
The first Aquence co-cure line in Germany went into operation
here in 2007. To complement their existing production lines, the
company was looking at that time for a high-quality, environmentally benign corrosion-protection method with zero hazardous
heavy metals that would also overcome the shortcomings of e-coating, primarily regarding its limited cavity coating capability.
Today, steel parts weighing as much as 500 kg are coated at
BBL using Aquence. Besides delivering better results, Aquence
impressed this user with its sustainability and performance.
“Thanks to continuous bath maintenance, the system produces no wastewater at all,” said BBL CEO Robert Lumpi.
The dip tank can accommodate parts with a size of up to 3,000
x 1,600 x 800 millimeters. Moreover, the low VOC content eliminates the need for post-combusting emissions, and the fact that
complete assemblies can be coated provides logistical benefits by reducing the number of transports and simplifying warehousing.
A high degree of automated chemical dosage reduces the need
for manual maintenance and control. The compact yet very flexible line design allows the use of Aquence as a co-cure primer in
The first co-cure Aquence line in Germany went into operation at BBL
Oberflächentechnik in 2007.
combination with various powder coatings and as a highly resistant stand-alone single-layer coating with outstanding mechanical properties.
Henkel Corporation received a 2010 Automotive News PACE
Award for its new Aquence co-cure coating process. The Automotive News PACE Award is a prestigious award in the United
States recognizing automotive suppliers for superior innovation,
technological advancement and business performance.
Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Cos-metics/Toiletries and Adhesive Technologies.
Founded in 1876, Henkel holds globally leading market positions both in the consumer and industrial businesses with well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite.
Henkel employs about 48,000 people and reported sales of
€ 15,092 million in fiscal 2010. CW
Source of this article: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Parts coming out of the Aquence bath at BBL Oberflächentechnik.
All-over protection for parts after the Aquence autodeposition
process from Henkel.
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