AMS in Cork - Twenty Years Chromate Free
AMS Powder Coating Plant
Powder Coating architectural profiles requires a pretreatment or ‘passivation’ of the aluminium profile prior to the application of powder. In simple terms, this process completely seals the aluminium and forms a key for the powder coating to adhere to. Twenty years ago, virtually all powder coaters in the UK used chrome-based pretreatment systems as they were easy to use and robust. One company who was just starting out in powder coating architectural profiles at the time was Architectural and Metal Systems, AMS in Cork and they decided to be different.
Most UK and Ireland powder coaters have now switched to chrome-free pretreatment systems, but not before a long-drawn-out debate about the robustness of chrome free systems. With some claiming premature failures with these systems when introduced it has been proven over time that these failures are down to the incorrect use of these pretreatment systems. Chrome free pretreatment systems require much more control than their chrome-based counterparts. Today this is borne out by global sample testing undertaken by QUALICOAT where the small number of coating failures observed does not indicate that a chrome or chrome free pretreatment is to blame.
Twenty one years ago, AMS adopted chrome free pretreatment technology when they installed their first coating plant in 2002. Understanding the intricacies of these early systems AMS ensured that the methodology was followed precisely. They were granted a Qualicoat License in 2003 and twenty one years later the company is still using chrome free technology across more than one powder coating plant at their extensive aluminium extrusion, finishing and fabrication facility in Cork.
Pat O’Hara - Managing Director
Managing Director Pat O’Hara commented “At the time it was an easy decision to make, the new technology was safer for employees and cleaner for the environment, and we decided to embrace it. We were in fact the first Qualicoat member in the UK and Ireland to use Chrome free and have never known anything other than this process. We are very happy to be in the position we are now in, having to defend what we were doing for years to finishing consultants and actually losing work because of it, it is good to see specifications being written now that will only accept alternatives to Chrome.”
Following Brexit, the UK grandfathered over from the EU the original termination date for the use of Hexavalent Chromate and incorporated it into UK legislation. The termination date for the permission to use Hexavalent Chromate in the UK is 16th September 2024 and this will be enforced by UK HSE.
The current QUALICOAT Specification is freely available for download via the Association website, qualicoatuki.org and offers an up-to-date list of licensed UK and Ireland Powder Suppliers, Pretreatment Suppliers and Applicators. Telephone support is available from QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Head Office in Birmingham on 0330 236 2800, the Association can also be followed on Twitter @Qualicoatuki or on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/qualicoat-uk-&-ireland.