Secoa Metal Finishing

The Benefits of Anodized Aluminum in Marine Environments

Author: secoaTECH

Posted on

The Benefits of Anodized Aluminum in Marine Environments

Keeping equipment from being damaged in a marine environment is no easy task. Constant exposure to salt and water can take a toll on even the toughest materials. Fortunately, we at Secoa Metal Finishing know exactly how to protect your marine equipment from corrosion and deterioration: have it anodized.



Anodizing is an electrochemical process used to produce an anodic oxide film on an aluminum surface. The result is an extremely durable finish that’s particularly well suited for marine applications. Aluminum has a fairly high corrosion resistance to begin with, but it’s not nearly enough to fight off the effects of being regularly exposed, or even submerged, in salt water. Anodized aluminum, on the other hand, offers superior corrosion resistance that holds up even in the harshest environments.

At Secoa, we offer high quality anodizing services for all of your marine equipment. But that’s not all; we take anodizing to the next level with DiamonDyze™. DiamonDyze™ is a nanoceramic technology that can be incorporated into the anodizing process. It dramatically improves a part’s wear, corrosion, thermal, and chemical resistance—offering even more protection than standard anodizing. It is especially effective against salt-spray, and is therefore ideal for marine applications.



Secoa Metal Finishing is one of just a few licensed DiamonDyze™ applicators in the United States. So, if you want to use the best possible coating for your marine equipment, contact us today and ask about DiamonDyze™. To learn more, give us a call at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com.
Posted on

Powder Coating for Manufacturing Applications

It takes a special kind of metal finishing solution to keep a manufacturing operation running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Powder coating is one such solution. Tough, non-toxic, and able to withstand a variety of harsh conditions, powder coating is ideal for all kinds of manufacturing applications. 



Two of the primary benefits of powder coating are durability and friction reduction. These properties work in tandem to keep machines in prime operating condition. Applying powder coating to manufacturing equipment can drastically reduce the effects of everyday wear and tear, preventing the need for frequent part maintenance or replacement and minimizing unnecessary downtime. 

In addition to durability, powder coating boasts excellent heat and corrosion resistance. These features make powder coating a logical choice for manufacturing applications that involve tricky elements like extreme temperatures or excessive exposure to moisture. 

Powder coating is also safe and eco-friendly. While many more traditional finishing options contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), powder coating does not. When released indoors, VOCs can cause health issues for people who are exposed to them. When released outside, VOCs can cause air, water, and soil pollution. Choosing powder coating is one way for manufacturers to protect themselves, their employees, and the environment without sacrificing efficacy. 



To learn more about the benefits of powder coating for manufacturing applications, contact Secoa Metal Finishing today. We have spent nearly 60 years providing powder coating in Georgia and beyond, and have a reputation for excellence. Call us at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com.
Posted on

How Metal Finishing Benefits the Textile Industry

The equipment used in the textile industry is constantly subjected to a bevy of harsh conditions. When components of textile industry equipment are left unprotected, they are highly vulnerable to damage, and often have very short service lives. Regularly fixing and replacing machinery is expensive and best avoided. Fortunately, metal finishing can be used to prevent damage and prolong equipment service life.



Protection Against Abrasion A big part of textile production involves converting raw materials into yarns and fabrics. The raw materials in question — which may be natural fibers like wool and cotton or synthetic fibers like polyester — are often highly abrasive. Consequently, the machines used to process them can get worn down quickly if proper precautions aren’t taken. Metal finishing can be used to combat this issue, as abrasion-resistance is a key feature of many types of metal coating.

Protection Against Extreme Temperatures Most modern textile manufacturing is a high-volume affair, which means machines must often operate at extremely high speeds in order to meet production quotas. When textile production machines operate at high speeds, they generate a lot of friction, and by extension, a lot of heat. Using temperature resistant metal coatings on such equipment can prevent damage from this extreme heat.

Protection Against Corrosive Chemicals Various chemicals are used throughout the textile production process, many of them highly corrosive. Such chemicals can have a detrimental effect on unprotected equipment. Fortunately, chemical resistance and anti-corrosion properties are common features in metal finishing products. Applying the right metal coating to textile production equipment can prevent avoidable chemical damage.

Protection Against Production Downtime As the old adage goes time is money. In textile production, anytime machinery is not producing, money is being lost. Metal finishing can help combat downtime by protecting wear parts and keeping the machinery running efficiently.



Metal finishing plays a valuable role in the textile industry, protecting equipment from abrasion, extreme heat, and harsh chemicals. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of metal finishing, or if you’re looking for a metal finishing provider in Georgia, contact Secoa Metal Finishing at (706) 383-2893 or sales@secoatech.com.
Posted on

The Science of Fluoropolymer Coating

Fluoropolymer coating — also known as release coating — is durable, corrosion resistant, and great for reducing friction, which makes it perfect for applications in a vast array of industries. If you’re involved in manufacturing cookware, automotive or aerospace components, or medical devices (among other things), you’re likely familiar with fluoropolymer coating and its many uses; but do you know how it works? Read on to learn about the science behind this versatile finishing option.

A polymer is a specific type of chemical compound that can occur either naturally or synthetically. It is made up of molecules that are bonded together in repeating chains. A fluoropolymer is a polymer made up of fluorocarbons (compounds that consist solely of carbon and fluorine). The carbon-fluoride bonds in a fluoropolymer are extremely strong. The fluorine in a fluoropolymer is electrically negative. This negative charge prevents the fluoropolymer from easily bonding with other materials, hence its non-stick and friction reducing properties. Many of fluoropolymer’s other useful properties, such as high corrosion and chemical resistance, are a result of the atomic structures of fluorine and carbon and the specific way in which they bond. Now that you know what fluoropolymers are, and how they work, you can easily make the leap to understanding fluoropolymer coatings. As the name suggests, they are simply coatings that are made of fluoropolymers, which is why they impart properties like chemical resistance and friction reduction when applied to a surface. Want to learn more about fluoropolymer coatings and their many applications? Contact Secoa Metal Finishing today at (706) 383-2893 or sales@secoatech.com.  
Posted on

How Does Anodizing Work?

Anodizing is a popular metal finishing process often used to coat aluminum, though it can be used on other substrates, as well. It is an electrochemical process that results in the formation of a tough oxide surface layer. This process can be broken down into five simple steps

1- The anodizing process begins when an aluminum part is connected to a positive terminal of an electrical circuit (which causes the part to become an anode)

2- The second step in the anodizing process is creating a cathode. While an anode is the positive part of the circuit, the cathode is the negative part of the circuit. This step is achieved by applying a negative charge to the metal plates.

3- Next, the aluminum part (which is now an anode) and the metal plates that comprise the cathode are submerged in an acidic electrolyte bath solution. This solution contains a variety of chemical compounds that add positive and negative ions to the bath.

4- Then, once the aluminum part is submerged in the solution, the cathode is applied to a metal electrode in the bath, which sends voltage through the circuit.

5- When voltage is applied to the circuit, the aluminum part loses positive ions while attracting negative ions. This causes a layer of aluminum oxide to grow on the part’s surface.

The anodizing process makes metal surfaces more durable and corrosion resistant, which makes it useful for applications in a wide array of industries, ranging from architectural to automotive. Looking for anodizing services in Georgia? Contact Secoa Metal Finishing at (706) 383-2893 or sales@secoatech.com.  
Posted on

Is it Possible to Powder Coat Rusted Metal?

Powder coating is a very durable metal finishing method, and it can certainly prevent rust from forming, but is it possible to apply powder coating to a surface that is already rusted? While the answer to this question is technically yes (it is not impossible to apply powder coating to a rusted surface), it should never be done. Applying powder coating over rust will result in a very poor finishing job. In the short term, rust under powder coating will cause immediately noticeable surface imperfections. In the long term, rust will continue to grow underneath the powder coating, which may cause the powder coating to fall off completely as the surface deteriorates. At Secoa, we know that rust will ruin a coating job. That’s why our specialty finishing services include metal preparation. Proper surface preparation is an essential part of the coating process; removing contaminants (such as rust) before applying powder coating helps ensure a pristine finish. Secoa offers multiple metal preparation services, including blasting and burn-off. Thanks to our top of the line equipment, we have the capability to strip and prepare a wide range of both ferrous and non ferrous substrates, including iron, steel, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and more. We always remove rust from a surface before applying a coating in order to achieve the highest quality results.  
Fire Hydrant Restoration: Before and After
Would you like to learn more about Secoa’s specialty finishing services? Contact us today! Call (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com. We are ready to assist you with all of your finishing needs.
Posted on

Eco-Friendly Metal Finishing: Powder Coating

Are you looking for an eco-friendly metal finishing option? If you answered yes, then you should consider powder coating. Powder coating has a plethora of features that make it a top tier choice for all kinds of finishing applications; one such feature is its “green” nature. Powder coating is a lot better for the environment than many metal finishing alternatives.

Powder Coating and Air Pollution

One major reason powder coating is considered eco-friendly is because it doesn’t contribute to air pollution. Many other finishing options, like paint, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are eventually released into the air. When VOCs are released, they cause damage to the ozone layer. Powder coating does not emit VOCs, which means it doesn’t cause air pollution by releasing toxic fumes into the environment.

 Powder Coating and Hazardous Waste

In addition to producing VOCs, wet paint produces a lot of hazardous waste, because it often requires reworks that involve solvents. These solvents produce harmful fumes while in use, and then need to be disposed of (at which point they are considered hazardous waste). Retouching powder coating does not require any harsh chemicals, and since its inert on its own, the powder coating process does not produce any hazardous waste.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

During the powder coating process, there is always some powder that fails to adhere to the surface. Rather than being thrown out, this excess powder can be reclaimed and used again later. Therefore, powder coating is a good choice for anyone concerned about unnecessary waste. If you want to learn more about eco-friendly metal finishing, contact Secoa Metal Finishing at (706) 383-2893 or sales@secoatech.com. We provide a range of metal finishing services, including powder coating, in Georgia. We look forward to hearing from you.
Posted on

What’s the Difference Between Corrosion and Rusting?

What’s the Difference Between Corrosion and Rusting?

In the world of metal finishing, products are often described as anti corrosion coatings, anti rust coatings, or both. Using this pair of descriptions for one product may seem redundant, as the terms corrosion and rust are often assumed to be direct synonyms, and used interchangeably as a result. However, there are a few differences between corrosion and rusting.

Defining the Terms

Technically speaking, corrosion is the process in which oxidation caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions causes a material to deteriorate, while rusting is the oxidation of iron that has been exposed to air and moisture. Rust is a type of corrosion, but not all corrosion is rust.

What Does it Look Like?

Rust has a very distinctive orange-brown color, and because rust is a type of corrosion, some corrosion does, too. But, not all corrosion is orange-brown. Some types of corrosion are other colors, like green or blue.

What Does it Affect?

One of the key differences between corrosion and rusting is the material affected. Corrosion can occur on a variety of surfaces, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and even wood. Rusting, however, occurs only on iron and iron alloys.

So, using the term “anti corrosion coating” indicates that a product can be used for applications involving a wide variety of materials, while using the term “anti rust coating” explicitly indicates that a product will work well for applications that involve iron or iron alloys.

Though most coatings that prevent rust will likely prevent other types of corrosion as well, it may prove useful to be aware of this distinction.

What is the Cause?

Another notable difference between corrosion and rust is cause. Corrosion can occur on particular surfaces when they are exposed to air or specific chemicals. Rusting occurs when an iron or iron alloy is exposed to both air and moisture.

In Conclusion

Overall, the differences between rust and corrosion are minimal, but they do exist. It is probably safe to assume that most of the time, anti corrosion coatings will prevent rust, and anti rust coatings will prevent other types of corrosion.

This is certainly true of our products at Secoa Metal Finishing. Our protective coatings are great for preventing many types of corrosion, rust included. If you would like to learn more about our corrosion resistant, anti rust coatings, give us a call at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com

Posted on

Comparing the Benefits of Anodizing, Painting, and Powder Coating

There are many different types of metal finishing; some of the most popular are anodizing, painting, and powder coating. Choosing the right type of coating for your application can be essential to achieving the desired results. If you have a piece of metal that needs to be coated, you may find yourself wondering, “Which is best? Anodizing, painting, or powder coating?”

Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that can be used to form a protective coating of oxide on a metal surface. One thing that sets anodizing apart from other finishing methods is that the coating it creates is actually a part of the metal, so it cannot peel or flake. As a result, anodizing makes metal surfaces extremely durable. Anodizing is great for applications that require high levels of corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance. Anodizing also makes metal surfaces non-conductive, which can be useful in certain circumstances. In most cases, anodizing is restricted to aluminum substrates only.

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a metal finishing process that involves applying dry powder to a metal surface, and then heating the powder until it cures. There are several reasons one might choose powder coating as a metal finishing method. Though powder coated surfaces are generally not as durable as anodized surfaces, they are still extremely resistant to corrosion, abrasions, and general wear and tear; powder coating is a quick and simple process, which makes it convenient; and powder coating comes in a huge variety of colors.

Painting

Using wet paint is the most conventional metal finishing method. Though paint is much less durable than powder coating or anodizing, it does have its advantages. For example, paint can be used to coat surfaces that can’t be heated; it comes in an even more impressive array of colors than powder coating; and it is often very affordable.

The Verdict

So, which is best: anodizing, painting, or powder coating? Well, the answer is that there is no clear answer. Each of these finishing methods is best for its own specific range of applications. If you need extreme durability, you may want to look into anodizing. If you need corrosion resistance, but you also want a lot of color choices, powder coating may be your best option. If you just want a classic coating that is simple and cost-effective, painting is the way to go.

If you are seeking out metal finishing services, make sure to do your research and choose the process best suited for your application. If you are in need of powder coating or anodizing in Georgia, contact Secoa Metal Finishing at (706) 383-2893 or sales@secoatech.com. We provide high quality metal finishing services to those in Georgia, and beyond!

Posted on

What Industries Use Metal Finishing?

Metal finishing is a process that can provide a wide range of benefits, ranging from corrosion resistance to general durability. Different types of metal coating have different features that make them well suited for different applications. At Secoa Metal Finishing, we offer metal coatings with applications in a vast array of industries.

The Aerospace Industry

Friction and corrosion are big concerns in the aerospace industry. It is important for a lot of the equipment used in this sector to have a low friction coefficient, and to be corrosion resistant.

At Secoa Metal Finishing, we serve the aerospace industry with a variety of metal coatings that help address these concerns. For example, we offer a wide range of fluoropolymers that are excellent for reducing friction, and our Nylon 11 coating is extremely corrosion resistant.

The Food Processing Industry

Non-stick properties are extremely useful in the food processing industry. Fluoropolymer coatings have non-stick properties, and can be applied to cookware and bakeware to make cleanup easy, prevent corrosion, and reduce the potential of food contamination between cleaning cycles.

In addition to improving the non-stick properties of food processing equipment, fluoropolymer coatings provide a high level of heat resistance that is very useful for baking and cooking applications.

The Medical Industry

Metal finishing is often used in the medical industry to make medical instruments cleaner, safer, and more effective. Metal coatings can enhance a metal’s antibacterial properties, and make it easier to sterilize, which is important in a medical setting where cleanliness could mean a patient’s survival.

Metal coatings can also inhibit electrical conductivity. This is important because using medical instruments that are highly conductive could increase burn risk during a procedure.

At Secoa Metal Finishing, we carry Rislan Nylon 11, various fluoropolymers, and other types of coating that are commonly used in the medical industry.

Metal finishing services are extremely beneficial in all kinds of industries. Whether an application requires corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, or non-stick properties, applying the right metal coating is a smart and viable solution.

If you are in need of metal finishing in Georgia, give us a call at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com. We look forward to helping you find the perfect metal finishing solution for your application.