Products Finishing magazine is the No. 1 industrial finishing publication in the world. We keep our readers informed about the latest news and trends in plating, painting, powder coating, anodizing, electrocoating, parts cleaning, and pretreatment.
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8 MARCH 2017 — PFonline.com Find more information at short.PFonline.com/top_shops . Rick Delawder TOP SHOPS SPOTLIGHT SWD Inc. SWD Inc. opened in 1980 with three employees, black oxiding, cleaning and pickling operations and used equipment. Today, it is a leader in finishing and fastener sorting with over 150 employees in a 165,000-sq.-ƞ. facility in Illinois. Sealing anodic film to meet AMS/MS 8625 requirements has generated quite a bit of confusion for anodizers. Christian Ebbrecht, president of GetColored and a founding member of the Aluminum Anodizing Council, says that in some cases it has caused non-compliance findings in facility audits. Why the confusion? Ebbrecht says it is best to understand what AMS/MS 8625 says about sealing: • 3.8.1 – Mil 8625 version F, September 10, 1993, Amendment 1, September 15, 2003 states, "Type I, IB, IC, II, IIB, shall be completely sealed unless otherwise specified…in accor- dance with 3.8.1.1 or 3.8.1.2 as applicable. If wetting agents are used, they shall be of the non-ionic type." • 3.8.1.1 Class I says t o use dichromate solution or "other suitable chemical solutions." • 3.8.1.2 Class II says to use nickel, cobalt or "other suitable chemical solutions." • 3.8.2 Type III hard anodizing should be unsealed for max abrasion resistance but may be sealed for corrosion resis- tance using "other suitable chemical solutions." "Other suitable chemical solutions" permits the use of any chemistry where the anodic film can meet testing require- ments of the specification, he says. What is not allowed are chemistries containing anodic and cationic wetting agents. Ebbrecht says that for years chemical manufacturers have provided seal chemistry with anionic and cationic surfactants that are almost exclusively nickel seals operated as mid-temp or hot seal solutions. "The growth of painted and bonded anodic surfaces has raised the awareness of the issue," he says. "Residual anionic and cationic surfactant on the surface of the anodic film may cause adhesion problems and subsequent part failure." That is why auditors like Nadcap may present findings with loss of certification and customer non-compliance notifications. "There are compliant and suitable sealing solutions avail- able today that meet all the seal quality test performance requirements," he says. These are fully compliant with AMS/MS 8625 and contain no anionic or cationic surfactants. Young professionals are vital to the finishing industry, and it is important to acknowledge those making strides in shaping the industry's future. Products Finishing is recognizing our industry's young talent through our annual 40-Under-40 awards program. We are looking for 40 individuals under the age of 40 making a difference in finishing, both in their company and in the finishing community. The emphasis is on leadership and potential leader- ship—whether for a current employer or overall involvement in the industry. These individuals are potential leaders and trailblazers, but they also may be hardworking industry volunteers and community members who know how to give back to the finishing industry. Products Finishing will select 40 young people in the finishing industry who are striving to be the next generation of leaders and innovators. We will recognize them annually in print throughout the year in the pages of Products Finishing, as well as at special events. Think of co-workers and colleagues—anyone who matches the criteria—and nominate someone you feel is deserving. Nominees must be under the age of 40 as of April 1. Honorees will be chosen based on the quality of the nomination submitted, not the quantity of nominations. Visit short.PFonline.com/40 to nominate someone. Nominations close April 1. Contact Editor Tim Pennington at tpennington@PFonline.com. Clarifying Anodic Sealing Requirements for AMS/Mil Spec 8625 Solutions with anodic, cationic wetting agents may cause Nadcap non-compliance. 40-Under-40 Award Nominations Open Products Finishing to recognize rising stars in the finishing industry. NEWS