The Top Reasons to Get Your Heavy-Duty Industrial Equipment E-coated

When protecting your industrial equipment, there are many options. Dirt, grease, oil, and other elements can take a toll on metal surfaces over time, and you’ll want to invest in the proper coatings at the correct times to ensure your industrial equipment lasts as long as possible. E-coating is one solution for your heavy-duty industrial equipment—but what exactly does that involve?

E-coating is an electrochemical process that protects metal from corrosion and other elements through several layers of a special type of paint. It protects the metal from exposure in almost every climate or element and can last decades before it needs to be redone. If you’re curious about why this is the best option for protecting your heavy-duty industrial equipment, then keep reading to discover more!

What Is E-Coating?

The e-coating process is a protective coating for metal that is applied through an electrochemical reaction. It typically uses a chemical solution to create an outer layer on the metal that is durable, corrosion-resistant, and protects against other elements. They typically apply it to many metals, including steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. E-coating can be done in a wide range of thicknesses and used for everything from small engine parts to water towers.

Common E-Coating Processes

Two of the most common e-coating processes are anionic and cationic.

The anionic process applies a positive charge on the component with a negatively charged bath fluid. Anionic methods are standard in the general metal industry, need color control, have a straightforward operation, and are cheaper.

If using a component in a non-corrosive environment, the odds are the anionic process coated the part.

The cationic process provides a surface more resistant to corrosion and is the reverse of the anionic process. The negatively charged component bathes in a positively charged bath. The chemistry involved in the cationic process is based on acrylics or epoxies. If corrosion protection is critical, use epoxy chemistries. Typically, companies use acrylic systems if applications need color control or durability.

How Does E-Coating Protect Metal?

E-coating protects metal through several layers of a particular type of paint that is both durable and corrosion-resistant. Even though it is good at protecting the metal from outside elements, it is also designed to be easy to clean and maintain, so it doesn’t get clogged with dirt and grime. The coating’s thickness makes it durable and lasts decades.

Why Is E-Coating the Best Option?

E-coating is the best option for protecting your heavy-duty industrial equipment because of its durability. While many other coatings will last a few years before they need to be replaced, e-coating can last for decades. It will protect your equipment from most climates and elements, and you will only have to repaint it when worn down. Other types of protection wear down quickly, so you will have to keep repainting them or face having to replace your equipment sooner than you’d like. Plus, e-coating is a great value—you’ll get many years of protection at a low cost.

3 More Reasons to Get Your Heavy-Duty Industrial Equipment E-Coated

• E-coating lasts for decades: As mentioned before, e-coating can last for decades before needing to apply another coat. Other coatings, such as paint and vinyl, only last a couple of years before needing to be reapplied.
• E-coating is easy to maintain: With other coatings, repaint them more frequently. E-coating is easy to keep clean and maintain, so you don’t have to focus on repainting often.
• Protects equipment in any climate: With the right thickness, e-coating can protect your equipment from any weather, including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures.

Testing E-Coating’s Protection

Companies perform various tests to confirm how effectively their topcoats perform as protective barriers. Below, I summarize two such testing methods.

SAE J400 and the Gravelometer

Finishing companies submit their components for testing to meet the SAE J400 standards. J400 testing evaluates and tests the resistance of the topcoat to chipping from gravel impacts.

It sounds simple, which it is, but how consistent would the testing topcoats from different companies throughout the United States be? Gravel isn’t the same everywhere, and individual rocks vary in size. How fast would the vehicle need to travel?

The answer to those questions is the Gravelometer.

Gravelometers meet technical standards set by ASTM/ASE. The machine simulates the impacts of gravel or other debris on coated automotive components.

Salt Spray Testing

Another method of measuring the strength of a topcoat is an extended salt spray test. Our sister company, Schuette Metals, submitted samples for salt spray testing at three levels: 500 hours, 1,000 hours, and 1,500-hours. Seeing is believing in using a sliding scale to view the before and after.

In Sum

When protecting your industrial equipment, e-coating is an excellent choice. It lasts for decades, is easy to maintain, and will protect your equipment in almost any climate. If you’re looking for the best protection for your equipment, e-coating is an excellent option.