Letter 11694

E-coating 

Anyone:

I am an estimator for a metal stamping operation in Illinois. Some of the cost I have to quote are those of plating. I understand there are several different types of finishes. I don't know what e-coating is. Can you please tell me about it, or refer to me a place/book where I can get more information about it?

Thanks,

Carlos G [name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Elk GroveVillage, IL

E-coating is another name for electrocoating, electropainting, or electrophoretic lacquering. It is used to deposit a paint or lacquer coating as opposed to a metal such as is deposited by electroplating. In other words, it's more an application method for paint or lacquer than a coating per se.

Parts are dipped into a vat of the lacquer or paint and are electrified in order to promote a reaction at the surface which deposits the paint. It is used on very large parts, such as autombile bodies, to apply a primer coat that doesn't miss any spots, and it's used on smaller parts such as lamps and jewelry to deposit a durable lacquer.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Yes, and no. E-coating is a process of using electricity to apply paint or laquer, however, it is Primarily used for smaller parts as a primer. I manage an e-coat facility that works parts from the size of a quarter to a rear axle on an 18 wheeler. E-coat is also a better choice over powder coat if thickness is a concern, the paint is distibuted more evenly without fluctuation.

John C [name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.A

E-coating...is the paint a flammable or combustible?

P-coating...is the powder actually a plastic?

Chris B [name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Oxford, MI, USA

E-coating is done with the parts immersed in a water-based solution. While you would need to get any relevant hazard information from the actual supplier, I've not heard of it being flammable or combustible and certainly wouldn't expect it to be.

Yes, powder coating is done with powders of thermosets or thermoplastics.

Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

Which procss is more expensive, E-Coat or Powder Coat?

Scott L [name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Evanaton, Illinois, USA

That is a little difficult to answer, Scott, because there are different types of e-coats and powder coats, and some e-coats are intended only for use as a primer, and most powder coating requires some sort of pretreatment. But powder coating is generally far thicker than ecoating, involving the deposition of significantly more material, so it is probably reasonable to say that powder coating is more expensive. Perhaps a shop that offers both will confirm or refute this for me.

Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

I want to know the process flow & the entire time for the process completion?. Time for each process & what happens after the completion of each process. I will be happy if you explain me with pictures.

s-a-n-d-e-e-p
Hyundai - Chennai, Tamilnadu & India

Hello, Sandeep. A forum like this is a great place for specific questions which you would like hints about, and it's also a good place to ask for a quick one or two paragraph introduction to a technology. But as you get into wanting to learn detailed sequences for processes, with pictures, theory, etc., your needs will be better met by books on the subject. But maybe one of the vendors of the process has a brochure that will help.

Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

Can e-coating process be carried out on the outer surfaces of silencers. what are the characterstics of e-coating.is it corrosion resistant.

Srikanth m.r
production supervisior - Bangalore, Karnataka, India

I'm not sure what you mean by "silencer" Srikanth -- do you mean mufflers for automobiles, or motorcycles maybe? As menioned the coating is thin, but it is corrosion resistant. The biggest question I would immediately have would concern the operational and maximum temperature of the application. For high temperatures you usually need metals or ceramics rather than organic coatings. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

Which one is better, e-coating or powder coating? Do they perform the same aside from powder coating being thicker? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Leonardo Antonio
- Winnipeg,MB Canada

If one were "better" the other would never be done. We've already mentioned some advantages and disadvantages. But many other advantages/disadvantages are application or situation dependent. If you will tell us the application you have in mind, I think people will be able to help you make an informed choice between the two, or an informed decision to use the two coatings sequentially, which is also often done. Attempting to answer in the abstract is a lot like trying to suggest whether someone travel by ship or by rail when they haven't told you where they want to go -- it can result in pages and pages of unusable info :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E. 
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

Hello everybody! What is the best method for treatment of a new replacement vehicle frame for a 59 Chevy. E-Plating, powder coating - or a combination?? What would You suggest? Thank You! Al

Alfons Wolff
- Haimhausen, Bavaria, Germany

^-- I want to contact this person and my company is a supporting advertiser of finishing.com

Both in sequence is best. Powder coating will not be able to cover all areas of the frame, whereas e-coating will and it is done by all OEMs. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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