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so there are no places where filiform corrosion may take hold , consequently the protection rate is statistically increased to 100 %. Licensed applicators may now source pre-anodised profiles from other licensed plants so that they may take advantage of the increased level of protection that this process can offer .
Released in early 2024 QUALICOAT released the Technical Information Sheet No . 4 , ’ Recommendations for Corrosion protection ’. This document offers specifiers more detailed guidance on the recommended pretreatment system to specify for various “ Corrosivity Categories ” according to ISO 18768-1:2022 Table 1 and ISO 9223:2012 Table C . 1 . Whilst it is still strongly recommended that specifiers continue to seek guidance from a QUALICOAT licensed powder coater or powder manufacturer when specifying finishes , the guide offers an insight as to the levels of protection offered when specifying QUALICOAT architectural powder coating .
These various pretreatments and etch requirements can make it confusing what to specify and this is why the Technical Information Sheet has been produced by the Association to offer advice and guidance to specifiers . The Technical Information Sheet also offers guidance when specifying QUALICOAT 3.0 . This specification controls further trace elements in the aluminium that can cause issues , which is often present in recycled aluminium . Controlling the quality of the extruded aluminium therefore offers additional life expectancy of the pretreatment system and the adhesion of the powder coating .
The Technical Information Sheet offers a simple chart that allows specifiers to choose all pretreatment options for a given exposure category . It is freely available to download from the Association website . It is still strongly recommended that guidance is requested from a QUALICOAT licence holder when specifying coatings in harsher environments .
Technically , the QUALICOAT standard is the most robust specification readily available in the UK & Ireland as it specifies minimum etch requirements within the pretreatment process for enhanced ‘ Seaside ’ applications and includes regular finished powder coated surface laboratory tests for filiform corrosion resistance , something which BS EN 12206-1 does not require .
The up-to-date QUALICOAT Specification is freely available for download via the UK & Ireland Association website , qualicoatuki . org and the website offers an up-to-date list of licensed UK and Ireland Powder Suppliers , Pretreatment Suppliers and Applicators including the applicators who carry the Seaside class accreditation . Telephone support is available from QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Head Office in the Midlands on 0330 240 9735 , the Association can also be followed on Twitter @ Qualicoatuki or on LinkedIn www . linkedin . com / company / qualicoat-uk- & -ireland
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