Ceramic coatings extend life of Vipro's coil springs:

Johannesburg - September 2005 - The life of conventional coil springs used in crusher applications was recently extended from three weeks to over twelve months using Powerkote's microfilm ceramic coatings.  Zeus Venter, Managing Director at Vipro (Pty) Ltd, suppliers of products and services in the field of vibration, commented, “We were experiencing problems with the life expectancy of our large industrial coil springs used as tension elements in a cone crusher application. The average life was around 3 to 4 weeks, which caused major downtime and related costs in replacing the units.  “We discovered Powerkote's TLHB ceramic coatings and decided to coat a sample of coil springs for installation on the West coast, close to the sea, which experiences very corrosive and unfriendly conditions. It was a desperate move, as nothing we had tried in the past had worked with significant results.”   Powerkote's TLHB is a high temperature thermal barrier coating that makes use of a unique binding system to retain high temperature stability while reducing thermal transfer. The cured material is capable of providing increased thermal resistance while also providing a very slick surface. Coating industrial springs.You'll notice a few gaps months wise between stories. None released during this period.

Venter added, “Since installing the coated spring sample, the life of the part has increased to more than 12 months at this stage, and it's still running. 
“We can highly recommend this coating for similar corrosive conditions, especially when you considered the relatively low cost involved achieving this result, which is negligent compared to the downtime costs. 
Other applications for Powerkote's high temperature thermal barrier coating include brakes, exhaust tracks, wheels, buzz bars, turbo chargers, heat exchangers, water boxes, pipes, springs, casings, frames, housings, to name a few. 
More about Vipro 
Vipro specialises in the field of vibration with a range of products and services to suit a wide range of industries. Products include: vibrator motors, feeders, screens, grizzlies, electro-magnetic feeders (FMC), shaker conveyors, vibrating shake-outs and grease tables, and suspension units, including coil springs, rubber buffers and ROSTAs . 
Other products and services include permanent magnets and rare earth magnets, metal detectors, design data packs for vibrating equipment, squirrel cage electric motors and geared motors, speed reduction gearboxes, vibration analysis on structures and problematic vibrating equipment, squirrel cage induction motors and frequency converters. 
 

 

Powerkote Coats Polo Components for Engen VW Cup:

Johannesburg - July 2005 - Powerkote has successfully applied its high temperature microfilm ceramic coatings to the exhaust manifolds of the 35 cars participating in the Engen VW Cup, part of the national SA Championship Power Tour.  The racing cars were experiencing several heat related problems during the race.  Iain Pepper, a driver in the series, commented, “Our vehicles were excessively hot under the bonnet. The oil was running thin; the brake fluid tended to boil during the race, and the clutch fluid disappeared.”  “We approached Powerkote to assist us to find a solution to these overheating problems, as well as to reduce the high temperature in the passenger compartments.”  Powerkote applied its high temperature thermal barrier coating to all the exhaust manifolds of the 35 vehicles, which not only corrosion-protected the parts, but retained the heat within the manifold or header. This resulted in performance benefits as the exhaust gas velocity was accelerated, which reduced both back pressure and fuel contamination due to reversion.

 
Powerkote coats polo components for Engen VW Cup, part of the national SA Championship Power Tour.

The surface temperature of the manifold was also reduced substantially, which resulted in minimising the overall heat generated to the passenger compartment, as well as surrounding parts, such as alternators and starters. A secondary benefit was the reduction of heat drawn in through the carburettor. 
Pepper added, “The ceramic coating reduced the heat up to 50%, which allowed the vehicles to run more consistently at optimum temperatures, which improved our overall performance.” 
The Engen VW Cup, which has been running for 9 years, is a popular series as all vehicles have identical specifications which keeps the development costs affordable, and ensures that the playing fields are level, so that the focus is on the drivers' skills. 
Powerkote Cape recently sponsored Powerflow's VW Polo by coating the exhaust manifold, pistons and intake manifold for the race in the regional GTi challenge in the Western Cape . 
Vehicle owner, Dick Bate, said, “The coating decreased the operating temperature of the engine, particularly the intake manifold, resulting in colder air and more consistent power, which is critical for racing conditions. 
For more information contact:
Powerkote Gauteng : Gary Sartor on 011 493 1682 email: 
sbe@yebo.co.za <mailto:sbe@yebo.co.za>Powerkote Cape : Frank Hall on 021 5527486 email: 
powerkote@telkomsa.net <mailto:powerkote@telkomsa.net>Powerkote Natal: Johan Smith on 031 914 4659 email:wris@global.co.za  <mailto:wris@global.co.za>
 

 

Ceramic coatings at home at sea:

Johannesburg - May 2005 - Microfilm ceramic coatings are finding a home in the maritime industries for an extensive range of applications to combat the effects of corrosion and as thermal barriers.  Frank Hall , Managing Director of Powerkote Cape, distributors and applicators of microfilm high temperature ceramic coatings, comments, ”All components and items in the maritime industry made of ferrous or non ferrous metals benefit from our ceramic coatings, which can be used for high temperature applications, such as engine rooms, or wherever there is corrosion.”  Powerkote has applied its ceramic coatings to the inside and outside of exhaust systems and turbo chargers of boats and ships, which result in reducing the temperature up to 85-90şC, as well as prevent corrosion.  The ceramic coatings are extremely flexible and have the capability of bending with the bonded material, which ensures that they do not crack.   “Other applications include brackets and housings on the upper decks of vessels exposed to the elements, as well as pipes and funnels. We have an anti-fouling ceramic coating for hulls, which prevents the adhesion of barnacles and algae, resulting in better drag efficiencies,” says Hall. 
  Coating water separators on ships in KwaZulu Natal

“Our ceramic coatings when applied to mild steel are a cost effective alternative to stainless steel, and offer the same long life properties and anti-corrosive.” 
Johan Smith, in charge of Powerkote KwaZulu Natal adds, “Other applications in the maritime industry that show remarkable results include the ceramic coating of the fuel supply system, which substantially reduces corrosion. The same applies to salt water and other acid supply systems, where the biggest problem is corrosion and the replacement of parts.” 
According to Smith, Powerkote's ceramic coatings can prevent electrolysis, which is critical in situations in marine applications, such as the engine compartment touching the vessel hull. 
“Everyday we are discovering a new use in the ports, harbour and maritime industry for our ceramic coatings. As long as the coated part can fit into our 7 m x 2 m in diameter oven, where it is cured for 2 hours at 240şC”, says Smith.