2 NOVEMBER 2013

F O C U S O N P O W D E R C O A T I N G S

aqueous solutions. The inhibitioneffect is provided by the insolubleCe-oxide/ hydroxide filmprecipitated at cathodic sites bythe cerium salts, which hindersthe redox reactions.

A paper by Serbianresearchers describes their workwith CeCCs applied to AA6060aluminium alloy panels prior tothe application of a polyesterpowder topcoat. There is interestin AA6xxx aluminium alloysbecause the various quantities ofmagnesium and silicon added tothe alloy are important to thestrength, formability andweldability of the alloy. These arequalities that make them anattractive alternative to the moreexpensive AA2xxx and AA7xxxalloys. The chemical compositionof AA6060 alloy is recorded inthe paper.

In this project the panels wereto be coated with the CeCCpretreatment by a dipping processinvolving two cerium compounds,cerium chloride and cerium nitrateto examine their suitability as analternative to chromate conversionpretreatment. Cleaning prior totreatment involved abrading withtwo grades of SiC papers,followed by ultrasonic cleaning inacetone and rinsing.Subsequently, the panels weredegreased and etched in analkaline solution. Two sets ofpanels were pretreated with thetwo cerium compounds, and oneof these sets was given a post-treatment in acidified phosphatesolution. It was noted that the twocerium treatments exhibited amarked difference in their surfaceappearance, prior to and againafter post-treatment. The driedpanels were then coated with acommercial polyester powdercoating and stoved at 190°C for20 minutes to give coatingthicknesses of 60 ± 2μm.

Tests on the coated panelsincluded electrochemicalimpedance and adhesionmeasurements.

In conclusion it was reportedthat the chloride anion gavebetter results when the CeCC

was used as the only coating onAA6060. However this treatmentin combination with the polyestercoating showed lower corrosionresistance in aggressive saltsolution than the nitrate basedtreatment. The adhesion tests forthe chloride-based CeCC showedsome delamination and blisterformation beneath the coating.The nitrate-based CeCC gavemuch less delamination and fewerblisters. Overall, the chromate-based system gave the bestadhesion.

Article entitled “The Influence of Ce-basedCoatings as Pretreatments on CorrosionStability of Top Powder Polyester Coating onAA6060” by Lj S Zivkovic et al. OriginalSource: Progress in Organic Coatings, Oct2013, 76 (10), 1387-1395 (website:http://www.sciencedirect.com) © Elsevier BV2013

INDUSTRYNEWS

Anti-corrosion coating winsinnovation award

AnCatt’s anti-corrosion coatingplatform has received the 2013TechConnect National Innovationaward. This anti-corrosion coatinguses a conductive polymer nano-dispersion replacing heavy-metalpigments like chromate, lead, andzinc. It is a cost effective andself-healing coating that canprovide corrosion protection for allkinds of metal and offers a rangeof potential coating applicationslike powder, waterborne, hightemperature, and high solids.

Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry(PCI), Jul 2013, 29 (7), 14 (Website:http://www.pcimag.com) © BNP Media 2013

Bayer sells polyester resinsbusinesses

Bayer MaterialScience LLC sold itglobal powder polyester resinsbusiness and its liquid polyesterresins merchant business in theUS to Stepan Co. The companywill continue selling its productportfolio, including coatings,adhesives, sealants, elastomers,

and liquid polyester resins aroundthe world, retaining its tradename, Desmophen.

Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry(PCI), Jul 2013, 29 (7), 16 (Website:http://www.pcimag.com) © BNP Media 2013

Arkema Coating Resins announcesprice increase for acrylic andstyrene acrylic resins in NorthAmerica

Effective 20 Sep 2013, or ascontracts allow, Arkema CoatingResins will increase the price ofacrylic and styrene acrylic latexproducts sold in North America.The price of ENCOR and SNAPacrylic and styrene-acrylic, andNEOCAR acrylic latexes willincrease by 5%/wet pound to15%/wet pound. The price ofCelocor opaque polymer willincrease by 5%/wet pound to10%/wet pound. ENCOR styrene-acrylic hard resins will increaseby 5%/wet pound to 10%/wetpound. This action is necessarydue to escalation in the cost ofraw materials and transportationfor these products.

Original Source: Arkema, 420, rue d’Estienned’Orves, F-92705 Colombes, France, tel: +33 1 4900 8080, fax: +33 1 4900 8396,website: http://www.arkema.com (6 Sep2013) © Arkema 2013

BASF to increase prices forneopentylglycol in North America

Effective 1 Oct 2013 or ascontracts allow, BASF isincreasing its list and off-listprices in North America for allgrades of neopentylglycol (Neol)by $0.05/lb. Neopentylglycol ismainly used as a building blockin polyester resins for coatings,unsaturated polyesters, lubricantsand plasticizers.

Original Source: BASF, website:http://www.basf.com/ (3 Sep 2013) © BASF2013

Nubiola increases Yellow IronOxide Nubifer Y-7050’s productioncapacity for coatings & more

Nubiola have recently made asignificant investment to triple theproduction capacity of its Yellow