QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND
QUALICOAT Meeting
Despite the fact that members of any Association cannot meet at the moment , it seems we have all become very proficient at communicating through the various mediums of video conference calls . With this in mind , QUALICOAT UK & Ireland held their third meeting of the year and the second to be hosted online .
One of the technical topics discussed covered the use of chrome free pretreatment systems used on recycled aluminium . Whilst the pretreatment systems suppliers are making the application process more stringent , a QUALICOAT coaters workgroup are also active at looking at ways to improve the testing of the pretreatment once applied . Process samples , often run through the powder coating process at regular intervals and on a colour change , should be of the same grade of alloy where possible . There also continues to be concern that ‘ tramp ’ elements present in recycled aluminium may cause issues with the onset of corrosion .
This is a major research programme being undertaken by the Association and is referred to as QUALICOAT 3.0 . As the use of recycled extrusion is set to double in the next five years , this research will ensure that a dialogue between extruders and QUALICOAT can be forged that will further extend the life expectancy of architectural powder coating .
Membership of QUALICOAT UK & Ireland continues to grow with two new powder coating companies close to gaining their licences . Due to furlough and inspection difficulties these should hopefully be awarded towards the end of the year . In conjunction with QUALICOAT UK & Ireland ’ s appointed independent test house , IFO are now introducing online inspections for current members . These unannounced inspections take place twice a year for coating licence holders . Since the last meeting the association has seen a further five coating companies approach QUALICOAT UK & Ireland with a view to becoming licensed .
Laboratory Technician training is a requirement for powder coating members and this years training , undertaken by IFO , was successfully completed in late September again via video conference . The training keeps laboratory technicians up to date with current testing methodology and required standards to retain their licensed applicator status .
Work has been continuing on how to determine the acceptable shade variation in metallic finishes as Delta-E readings are not consistent for these finishes . A Delta-E spectrometer offers a single number that represents the ‘ distance ’ between two colours . The principle is that a dE of 1.0 is the smallest colour difference that the human eye can see . It has been determined that the best way to determine ‘ colour ’ is to view samples next to upper and lower reference samples in a light cabinet .
QUALICOAT have been reviewing powders with regard to their surface flammability , following stricter recommendation for the Construction Industry in the UK following the Grenfell report . Many powders currently meet the requirement of BS 476 Part 6 , Class B s1 dO , currently set for the external envelope over 18m . An update to the QUALICOAT Standard is expected shortly .
A further enhancement to the QUALICOAT standard will be a recommended powder and pretreatment guide for choosing architectural coatings in a given geographical location . This again will appear as an update to the standard in the coming months .
The meeting concluded with an AGM for the Association where Angus Mackie was voted in as chair of QUALICOAT UK & Ireland for a second year .
Copies of the sixteenth edition of the QUALICOAT Standard , complete with the amended updates , are available through the UK Association website , www . qualicoatuki . org together with an up-to-date list of licensed UK and Ireland Powder Suppliers , Pretreatment Suppliers and Applicators . Printed literature and telephone support is available from QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Head Office in Birmingham on 0330 236 2800 or email enquiries @ qualicoatuki . org . The Association can also be followed on Twitter @ Qualicoatuki
12 OCTOBER 2020 twitter : @ surfaceworldmag