Jonkman Coating, Hengelo | The best replacement for Chrome 6

Vertical pre-anodizing and powder coating in one line

With the future elimination of Chromium 6 in the surface treatment industry, among others, there is a great need for alternatives. What process can match the adhesion strength and corrosion resistance of Chrome 6? Which process is future-proof? Jonkman Coating provides the answers to these questions.

With an innovative coating system, in which pre-anodizing and powder coating are combined in one vertical line, a durable finish layer is created that even exceeds the adhesion strength and corrosion resistance of Chrome 6. In order to be able to apply the innovative coating system as efficiently as possible, Jonkman Coating is currently building a new commercial building on the Westermaat/De Veldkamp industrial estate in Hengelo. For this, the profiles were supplied by Kawneer and the facade elements made and installed by Alkondor. "The main novelty lies in the process that will soon be used here to protect aluminum from corrosion by pre-anodizing," says Harmen IJdema, director/owner of Jonkman Coating. "For this purpose, the new premises will be equipped with a vertical installation that can treat profiles up to 8 meters long. After treatment, the profiles can meet the highest quality, health and safety and environmental requirements."

Pre-anodizing

In traditional coating systems, the strength of adhesion lies in the chemical process, in which a conversion layer is applied to the aluminum. In the new process, this chemical process has been replaced by an electrochemical process, in which a wafer-thin aluminum oxide layer is formed with an open structure and therefore extremely suitable for the adhesion of the subsequent coating. IJdema: "This pre-anodizing process produces a thinner layer than a full anodic layer. By not sealing this layer but varnishing it directly, the desired durable finish layer is created."

Vertical installation

But there are more novelties at Jonkman. For example, the new building is 15 meters high, allowing the profiles to be handled vertically rather than horizontally.  This required a pre-anodizing bath 8 meters deep. "If the profiles hang vertically, we can paint more efficiently because there are more profiles hanging per running meter," explains IJdema. "We can coat the profiles on four sides with the desired amount of powder, thanks in part to the camera detection system that recognizes the profiles. The profiles can also be brushed in advance for more effective pretreatment." Jonkman Coating is the first contract coater in the Benelux to vertically pre-anodize and powder coat in one line.

The new building will be 15 meters high.

Expanding and moving in stages

And concluding, "There is still quite a bit to do before the full expansion and move is a reality. We are building in two phases, the first of which has now been completed. Currently, the vertical line is being built with an area of 6,000 m². It will be operational by the end of 2019. In the second phase, the horizontal powder plants and wet painting facilities will move from the Beitelstraat to the Lemerij in Hengelo. Another 7,000 m² will then be added. Then there will be a state-of-the-art coating plant, where we can provide our customers' products with an even better quality coating system."