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Coatings FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions relating to Coatings

Not all Coatings are created equal

Equipment manufacturers are facing greater demand to deliver faster than ever reliable parts that meet higher performance expectations. Advances in polymer engineering during the past decade mean that tribo-coatings can now offer a means to achieve a product´s goals, helping to improve performance through reduced friction, increased wear life, reduced system noise and improved corrosion resistance. It is possible to do all this while reducing system costs.

  • WHAT ARE POLYMER COATINGS?

    GGB TriboMate Wear and Friction chart, Tribological Coatings

    Polymer coatings are thin layers of polymer applied to either flat or irregular substrates. Polymeric coatings can be functional, protective or decorative. They are also used to modify surfaces (paper coatings, hydrophobic coatings). Although polymeric coatings are mostly organic, they can also include ceramic or metal particles to increase durability, functionality, or aesthetics [1].

    Applications often require a combination of bulk and surface properties at different locations, timing and in a function of the circumstances. Polymer coatings are often used to modify the substrate surface properties and enhance their performance. Therefore, coatings have become a key branch of the tribological materials science.

    [1] Francis, L. F., & Roberts, C. C. (2016). Chapter 6-Dispersion and Solution Processes. Materials Processing.

     

    Dry Operation
    Eliminate Corrosion
    Extended Service Life
    Improve Efficiency
    Lubricated Operation
    Reduce Noise
    Reduce Size/Weight
    Simplify Assembly

     

     

  • WHAT ARE THERMOPLASTIC COATINGS?

    The majority of polymeric coatings are thermoplastic polymers. With the thermoplastic polymers, the individual macromolecules of polymer are entangled but still largely independent from each other. Therefore, thermoplastic coatings featuring high flexibility, good elongation capability and high impact resistance but lower scratch resistance. They provide excellent corrosion protection.

  • WHAT ARE THERMOSET COATINGS?

    Some of the most advanced polymer coatings are thermosets. They are infinite three-dimensional networks of covalently interconnected macromolecules of polymers. This three-dimensional network offers excellent resistance of polymer layers to solvents, chemicals, and mechanical stress. Their high hardness enable them to be extremely resistant against scratches and wear. 

    Thermoset coatings are applied as liquids on a substrate and start with short molecules which are cross-linked together during the curing at a given temperature to form a permanent three-dimensional network on an irreversible chemical reaction. This need for curing is inevitably reflected in the choices of substrate material.

  • WHAT IS THE BASIC COMPOSITION OF POLYMER COATINGS?

    GGB surface engineering for anti friction coating technology

    The term polymer coating suggests that such a coating comprises predominantly polymers. However, coatings formulations are composed of organic and inorganic ingredients: binders, fillers (or pigments), additives, and solvents [2].

    [2] Gijsbertus de With, (2018). Polymer coatings: A guide to chemistry, characterization, and selected applications, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co., ISBN 978-3-527-80633-1

  • WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE COATING FOR MY APPLICATION?

    The coating system selection does depend on a large set of considerations and is obviously application dependant. That is the reason why we encourage you to fill out the contact form, so our Applications Engineering team can work with you in determining what the best solution should be.

  • WHAT SIZE OF PARTS CAN BE COATED?

    GGB is capable of coating parts from as little as a few millimeters in dimension to a maximum part size of 5 m x 2.5 m x 2.5 m (16.5 ft x 8.25 ft x 8.25 ft). However, geometry complexity may place some restrictions. 

  • CAN THE COATING PROCESS IMPACT THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SUBSTRATE?

    Depending on the coating selected, curing temperatures can range from room temperature to a maximum of 420°C. For those subjected to higher curing temperatures, consideration should be given to the potential annealing effect on the substrate. 

  • CAN THE COATING BE APPLIED ONLY TO A SPECIFIC AREA OF THE COMPONENT?

    Coatings can be applied to specific areas of a part by means of either masking the surfaces where the coating is not permitted or using those areas as sacrificial handling points during the manufacturing process. However, coating the entire component will provide the advantage of full protection against corrosion and chemical attack and, in most cases, not be more expensive. 

  • WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE SURFACE FINISH OF THE COMPONENT TO BE COATED?

    The surface finish requirements for a components to be coated  is considerably more relaxed than traditional surface specifications for tribological components, thus potentially providing cost savings for the customer.  The surfaces prior to coating can accept a roughness up to 1.6Ra since the coating process integrates a surface modification step to ensure optimum adhesion.

  • WHAT IS THE RANGE OF COATING THICKNESS THAT CAN BE APPLIED?

    The thickness will depend greatly on the type of coating being applied, its composition, application process and final intended use. In general, the target thickness will be around 10 µm to 35 µm but coatings can be as thick as 300 µm.

  • IF THE COMPONENT HAS A HOLE OR RECESS, TO WHAT DEPTH CAN A COATING BE APPLIED?

    There is no limit to the depth that the coating can be applied to, but there is a limitation on the aspect ratio of said hole/recess. The general guideline is that up to a hole diameter of 50 mm, we can control the coating thickness if the depth/diameter ratio is no higher than 3. If the hole/recess has an opening larger than 50 mm, then special spraying tools can be used to reach its entire length and deposit a controlled coating thickness.

  • WHAT TYPE OF GEOMETRIES AND SUBSTRATES CAN BE COATED?

    GGB next generation of tribological polymer bearings

    tribological performance coating can be applied to most substrates, including but not limited to metals, polymers and composites, regardless of shape or form. The coating feasibility is driven by the substrate thermal and chemical properties as it needs to survive the application and curing process.

  • HOW CAN COATINGS EXTEND THE LIFETIME AND REDUCE FRICTION OF A SYSTEM?

    Coatings are specifically designed to reduce friction between interacting surfaces in relative motion. TriboShield® coatings are self lubricating, and thus specifically designed for low friction and good wear resistance.

    For specific applications, GGB is also able to formulate high friction coatings still keeping the low wear rate as a key property of the coating.

  • ARE TRIBOSHIELD® COATINGS FDA APPROVED

    We have a range of coatings which are FDA compliant. The actual approval is granted for each specific use and needs a specific certification process to be performed by a third party laboratory.

  • HOW CAN COATINGS REDUCE THE WEIGHT OF THE SYSTEM?

    The difference in weight between coating & bearing is negligible so should we not emphasise the fact that it can be applied directly onto light weight materials such as aluminium, magnesium or titanium. 

  • HOW CAN COATINGS REDUCE THE COST OF A SYSTEM AND ALLOW TO SAVE MONEY?

    In many cases, the coatings are applied directly to the customers component, eliminating the need of assembling and simplifying the bill of materials. The component to be coated does not require fine machining, and a roughness of 1.6 μm Ra can be specified. In addition, the usual hardening and/or polishing of the surfaces can also be eliminated.

  • WHAT ARE THE OTHER SIDE BENEFITS OF COATING A PART? IS THERE AN IMPACT ON NVH (NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS)?

    Polymers generally provide an effective barrier to corrosion or chemical attack. By coating the full part, the coating can potentially satisfy both your tribological and chemical resistance needs. The dampening characteristics of polymer coatings can also help reduce noise, vibration and hardness leading to quieter operation.

  • ARE POLYMER COATINGS TOXIC?

    Although solvents are used to help process coatings, the GGB polymer coatings in their finished applied form are non toxic. GGB purposely develops its formulations with safety in mind avoiding the use of prohibited or legislatively controlled substances. In fact, some of GGB coatings, TS421 and TS651 for example, are FDA compliant and therefore can safely be used in contact with food.

  • WHICH TYPES OF SURFACE COATINGS EXIST?

    Coatings exist in organic and inorganic form with the most common industrialised coatings catagorised as either polymer, metal and ceramic based. GGB Tribological coatings are principally based on carefully formulated polymer technology to minimise friction and take advantage of their self lubricating properties.  Such coatings are relatively inexpensive and can be applied using traditional spray painting technology.  By contrast, metal and ceramic coatings require more specialised equipment, are more costly and although more durable with higher temperature resistance, they are less suited to tribological applications due to the higher friction.  

  • WHAT IS SURFACE COATING TECHNOLOGY?

    Surface coating technology generally refers to the application of a thin film or layer or a dissimilar material onto a substrate that enhances the surface characteristics in some way. The surface coating may be designed to specfically provide chemical or corrosion protection, improve hardness and durability, provide self-lubricating characteristics if relative motion and contact with other bodies, or may even simply be for decorative purposes. The technology aims to ensure an effective mechanical or chemical bond between coating and the underlying surface. GGB surface coating technology is dedicated to extending the life of moving parts by modifying coating surfaces to reducing energy consumpion and improving efficiency by minimising friction, simplifying design through self lubrication behavior that eliminates need for third party lubrication such as grease or oil, and extending durability by reducing risk of seizure damage. The GGB coating used in this way serves as the sacrificial element protecting the more expensive substrate component.

  • WHAT ARE UV PROTECTIVE COATINGS?

    UV Protective coatings generally refer to coatings purposely engineered and applied to protect against the damaging or ageing effects of ultraviolet radiation and sunlight. The coating is designed to act as a barrier, absorbing UV rays and preventing penetration to the underlying surface. This technology is commonly used to create the protective film on sunglasses to protect eyes or as protective clear paints that prevent discolouration of the underlying coloured surface eg car body paintwork. 
     

  • HOW DO POLYMER COATINGS WORK?

    Polymer coatings are designed to improve function or appearance of components by taking advantage of the inherent material properties such as self lubricating properties, corrosion and chemical resistance.
     

  • HOW DO THE GGB POLYMER COATINGS DIFFER IN COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE?

    Our coatings range is built of references using different polymer matrixes that allow different levels of load capacity and operating temperature as well as suitability to work in different media.

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