New Technology
SAF, a global metals distributor, fabricator, and finisher, is substantially improving its ability to confirm the quality of coatings it applies to aluminum thanks to the introduction of a new tool. The company is now incorporating X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) technology into its polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) finishing process. The enhancement enables SAF to provide its customers with verification that its coatings meet key industry standards for performance and durability set by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA).
For a PVDF coating to be properly applied to aluminum, the metal must undergo a chemical bonding process that forms a complex chromate film on its surface, commonly referred to as a conversion coating. Often, fabricators evaluate the quality of this conversion coating by the color of the metal. However, color does not always correlate with the correct chromatic film coating weight. By using XRF technology, SAF can accurately measure the quality of its conversion coatings. For customers, this ensures an accurate pretreatment, which leads to a successful PVDF application and a long-lasting architectural finish.
The XRF analyzer works by emitting X-rays and collecting fluorescence radiation from the metal. The test determines whether the metal meets AAMA 2605. With this analyzer, the results are available in seconds as opposed to traditional laboratory testing, which can take days.
