Secoa Metal Finishing

Epoxy Powder Coating: Never Out of Style

Author: secoaTECH

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Epoxy Powder Coating: Never Out of Style

A Brief History of Epoxy 

Epoxy resins have been around for nearly a century. They were first developed in the early 1930s and commercialized circa 1946. They quickly became popular in the aerospace industry, then for military applications. Demand continued to grow as epoxy’s many benefits became more well-known, and it remains a common coating choice to this day. 

Benefits of Epoxy Powder Coating

Epoxy powder coating offers a variety of advantages. It is extremely durable, and has high chemical and corrosion resistance. It also has excellent electrical insulation capabilities and adhesion properties. Epoxy will bond well to most surfaces and last for a long time, even in harsh environments. 

Common Applications

Due to its versatility, epoxy powder coating is used for a vast range of applications in all kinds of different industries, including: 

  • Oil and Gas: Thanks to their high chemical resistance and overall durability, epoxy powder coatings can be used to coat pipes and valves for use in the oil and gas industry. 
  • Automotive: Epoxy coatings have many uses in the automotive industry. Their durability makes them good for coating underbody parts and components, while their insulation properties make them good for motor-based applications. 
  • Aerospace: Epoxy powder coatings have been used for aerospace applications since the 1950s, and they continue to be used in the industry to this day. 
  • Industrial Manufacturing: Due to its high corrosion resistance and ability to withstand harsh conditions, epoxy powder coating is frequently used in industrial manufacturing operations. 

Contact Secoa Today

Epoxy powder coating has been a sought after coating method for decades, and will continue to be so long into the future. If you need a reliable epoxy powder coating supplier, contact Secoa Metal Finishing today. You can reach us by phone at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com.

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The Power of Release Coating

Non- Stick and Release Coatings

Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, new inventions meant to improve manufacturing operations have been cropping up every day. One such invention, often used but seldom celebrated, is release coating. For decades, release coating has been used in industries across the board, and for good reason. 

Benefits of Release Coating

Release coating offers a vast array of benefits that make it perfect for industrial manufacturing applications. It is sturdy and durable, providing excellent protection to machine surfaces. It also reduces friction, keeping equipment running smoothly without need for costly, dirt-attracting lubricants. Additionally, many types of release coating can withstand high temperatures, and can thus be used for applications that involve extreme heat. 

Release Coating Applications

Thanks to its durability and impressive non-stick properties, release coating is used in all sorts of industries. Common release coating applications include:

  • Cookware and bakeware
  • Automotive components
  • Manufacturing equipment
  • Electrical components
  • Medical devices
  • And more

Release Coatings from Secoa Metal Finishing

At Secoa Metal Finishing, we provide a wide range of high quality non-stick coatings, each with their own unique advantages. We offer: 

  • Fluoroclad 5: Ideal for applications where non-stick properties are desired
  • Fluoroclad 6: Provides excellent abrasion resistance
  • Fluoroclad 7: Specifically formulated for use on cookware, bakeware, and cutlery
  • Fluoroclad 19: Durable two-coat system with superior release properties
  • Fluoroclad SDFC: Ceramic reinforced two-coat water-based system engineered to repel slag buildup and weld splatter

Contact Us to Learn More

If you want to know more about the features and benefits of release coatings, or if you are searching for high-quality non-stick coating services, get in touch with Secoa Metal Finishing today. Give us a call at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com.

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Secoa: Our Specialty Finishing Services

Secoa Metal Finishing has been providing high-quality specialty finishing services in Georgia since 1964. We take pride in our work and strive to meet each customer’s every need. We also want to make sure you understand all of the ways in which we can be of service. So, let’s take some time to talk about what exactly we do, and why it matters.

Metal Preparation Services

The first step in most metal finishing processes is surface preparation. If a metal surface isn’t properly prepped before it is coated, the end result will be subpar at best. That’s why we at Secoa make sure to perform the appropriate metal preparation for every project. We offer both burn-off and blasting services, which can be used on a range of ferrous and non-ferrous substrates, including iron, steel, aluminum, titanium, and magnesium, among others.

Our burn-off ovens—which are 7 X 7 X 20—are able to accommodate parts up to 20 feet long. They are also pollution controlled and fully compliant with Georgia’s state air quality regulations, as well as all corresponding federal regulations. Our 20 X 20 X 10 walk-in blasting units are useful for prepping large parts or large quantities of smaller parts. They use 70 grit aluminum oxide media, and include several hand blasters for jobs that require more delicate work.

Metal Preparation

Coating Services

Secoa specializes in providing custom coating solutions for a vast array of industrial applications. We carry a variety of powder coatings (polyester, nylon, epoxy, and more) with all kinds of useful benefits. Powder coatings can increase surface durability, reduce friction between moving parts, provide chemical and corrosion resistance, and even improve the appearance of your parts or equipment. Metal coatings from Secoa are versatile, dependable, and reliable. You can count on us to improve, protect, and enhance your products and equipment with our specialty finishing services.

Anodizing

In addition to surface preparation and powder coating services, Secoa offers industrial anodizing. Anodizing provides exceptional protection for metal surfaces even in the harshest environments, which makes it excellent for certain industrial applications. Secoa is one of only a few U.S. companies licensed to apply DiamonDyze™, so if you want beautiful, top-tier anodizing, we’re the company you need.

Contact Secoa Today

Do you want the best metal finishing services Georgia has to offer? Then get in touch with Secoa today. You can reach us at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

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Anti-Rust Coatings: Types and Uses

Corrosion is a constant concern in any industrial manufacturing operation. Corrosion can cause extensive damage to machines, leading to disastrous equipment failures and expensive repairs. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your equipment from corrosion, first among them being anti-rust coating. At Secoa Metal Finishing, we offer a variety of anti-rust coatings designed to keep your operations running smoothly in even the most corrosion-conducive environments. 

Polyester Powder Coating

Polyester powder coatings are highly corrosion resistant, and can be made even more so with the addition of a zinc-rich primer or an epoxy primer. They also offer excellent UV protection, vast color selection, and are available for comparatively low prices. It is versatile and effective, which makes it perfect for a wide range of applications. 

Nylon Powder Coating

Secoa Metal Finishing carries Rilsan® Nylon 11, a high-performance nylon powder coating with a variety of benefits. This coating is durable, abrasion resistant, and of course, offers protection against chemicals and corrosion. This anti-rust coating will help keep your equipment in prime operating condition even when exposed to corrosive elements like moisture and certain chemicals. 

Epoxy Powder Coating

When it comes to protecting against rust, epoxy coating is top of the line. It is extremely durable and corrosion resistant, and can keep machinery safe in even the harshest conditions. As a result, it is often used for heavy duty applications with a high risk of corrosion, like wastewater treatment. 

High Build Thermoplastics

High build thermoplastics can be applied to steel to increase corrosion resistance and enhance UV properties. They provide an excellent solution for many municipal and architectural projects, and are often used in the food industry as well. 

If you’re in need of a corrosion resistant coating for your equipment, look no further than Secoa Metal Finishing. Contact our team today for more information about our anti-rust coating offerings, or for help choosing the right coating solution for your specific application. Give us a call at (706) 383-2893 or send an email to sales@secoatech.com. We look forward to assisting with all of your metal finishing needs.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.  
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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.  
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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.