USA link set to take AST into lead in Euro-alloy race
USA link set to take AST into lead in Euro-alloy race
Keywords Alloys,AST, Metal finishing, Tin-zinc
A Coventry-based firm is believed set to become the first-ever in Europe to introduce a new metal finishing process.
Advanced Surface Treatments Ltd (AST), one of the largest zinc-nickel platers in the UK, has invested £500,000 in the latest tin-zinc alloy plating process destined to supersede cadmium and become the industry standard.
Mr David Stevens, managing director at AST, said that:
"Owing to its toxic and carcinogenic properties, cadmium is currently being outlawed on a global basis.
"Our new tin-zinc alloy plating process offers all the benefits of high corrosion resistance,solderability and ductility, lubricity and others usually associated with cadmium without the environmental problems.
"As well as offering good protection on steel-aluminium corrosion contacts, the deposit resists contact with brake fluids and fuels and its friction and wear characteristics are also good".
According to Mr Stevens,the process, which is already widely used in the automotive sector, is set to be adopted by the defence and aero-space industries, following the lead of giants such as Boeing who have recently started to specify the process.
"We are confident that our new facilities will prove highly attractive for our customers in the aero space and defence industries", said Mr Stevens.
The facts behind the new process will be amplified in a technical paper which was published in the UK in February 1998.
The paper is co-written by David Stevens and US electro-plating expert Ed Budman. It was launched during Mr Budman's recent trip to the UK to visit AST's new tin-zinc production facility,which went live in late January 1998.
Mr Budman has worked in the US finishing industry for more than 37 years and has been responsible for expanding the development of zinc alloy processes, in the USA and elsewhere.
He currently heads a joint venture between Japanese specialists Dipsol Chemicals Co. Ltd of Tokyo, who were responsible for developing the new technology, and Frederick Gumm Chemical Co.,which is based in New Jersey. His firm operates under the Dipsol Gumm Ventures banner.
He has worked with AST over the past four years to help develop zinc alloy production. In the last six months, he has been closely involved with the firm on the introduction of the new tin zinc line.
According to Mr Budman, he chose to work with AST because of the firm's energy and its commitment to zinc alloy processing.
The new computerised,automatic plant is designed to operate as a combination of rack and barrel unit,although initially, it is set for rack work only.
The work envelope size is 1,300mm × 150mm × 1,200mm high with a maximum area of 200 dm2. Maximum lift capacity is 250kg and cycle time is ten minutes, or six loads per hour, based on an average deposit of 10 microns.
The new plant ideally complements AST's recent £750,000 investment in a zinc-nickel plating plant which, after 16 months, is operating 24 hours per day, four days per week with one day for maintenance.
According to Mr Stevens,the latest investment means the firm is now poised to become the largest sub-contract plater in zinc alloys in Europe.
"Our aim is to continue to develop our processes and systems to become truly world class", added Mr Stevens.
Details are available from AST. Tel: +44(0) 1203 603232; Fax: +44(0) 1203 611776.
