Strict REACH regulations require a rethink, and many customers are looking for environmentally friendly coating processes.

For more than 15 years, EPG AG has been developing coating solutions based on sol-gel technology that can provide an alternative to chrome-plated surfaces. With the products, Nanoseal® for the high-temperature range and Saphiral® for the low-temperature range, ultra-thin coatings are accessible that allow the look and feel of the metals to be preserved, and many color nuances set interesting and fashionable accents that are appreciated by customers.

Both Nanoseal® and Saphiral® are REACH-compliant coatings. Since they are mainly made of glass, they do not contain any substances relevant to health or the environment and are even suitable for use in the food industry. The advantages are obvious, offering customers a good alternative to chrome-plating processes and other environmentally harmful coatings.

Coatings on plastic surfaces and with biocidal effects are currently under development. The first tests present good results and show that the sol-gel technology can also offer solutions for these areas.

What does the customer expect from a coating? Good appearance, lasting durability, appealing functionality, or environmentally friendly production? No question, he wants everything combined, of course!

For the decorative sector, PVD (physical vapor deposition) processes have become indispensable in surface technology. After all, it's all about attractive colors, improving haptics and appearance - regardless of whether it's used for car interiors or in the household or for small electrical appliances.

Nevertheless, this process also has numerous disadvantages, which become particularly apparent when the coated components are used permanently: for example, the decorative PVD surfaces are very sensitive to scratches and are not resistant to abrasion or chemical influences. If, for example, a component or kitchen utensil is constantly touched by hand, the PVD surface may become scratched after a short time or suffer in appearance due to fingerprints.

EPG AG has developed a topcoat for precisely this problem, which can protect the PVD layer and significantly improve its function. Based on sol-gel coating technology, a glass-like transparent coating was developed that covers the PVD layer in an ultra-thin layer and thus does not produce any optical changes to the metallic appearance. But the durability and functionality of the coating is increased, scratches, abrasion or hand sweat are no longer a problem. Cleaning a PVD coating is also made easier with the topcoat, because fingerprints are now easy to remove and wipe away.

But it is also possible to completely replace the PVD layer with the EPG sol-gel coating. This creates further advantages for the customer. The PVD process is very complex, cost-intensive and, above all, time-consuming due to the necessary use of complex machines, and often results in minor color differences in successive batches. EPG coatings, on the other hand, are applied in an automated spraying process that enables large quantities to be produced on an industrial scale and poses no problem for complex geometries and frequent color changes. The subsequent curing process in the oven is easy to handle and significantly shortened.

The EPG coatings thus offer many advantages over PVD coatings, because the customer does not want to choose between good appearance and durability but wants to obtain both combined in one coating and also use an environmentally friendly process.

Photo underline:

Left: Stainless steel speaker covered with transparent EPG coating; Right: applied to PVD coating. The PVD process provides the desired color, the EPG coating the necessary protection and functionality.

The coating systems of EPG AG can be used for geometrically complex components. Individual colour requests can be realised and reproduced.

The coating systems of EPG AG based on the sol-gel technology are used today with a variety of metals and plastics, not only for the automotive sector, but also in the household or sanitary sector. They can protect a wide variety of surfaces - whether brushed, blasted or high gloss polished - against dirt, scratches or aggressive chemical influences, offer high corrosion protection and are temperature stable.

Today, coloured coating lacquers, which are produced to customer specifications, are particularly popular. By suitable mixing processes of different colour pigments and measuring the corresponding colour values, reproducible, customer-specific coloured coatings can be delivered. Different degrees of gloss, whether matt or high gloss, can also be adjusted according to the customer's wishes.

These individual colour layers are reproducible for different metal or plastic surfaces, so that even the coating of geometrically complex components is possible. This creates a uniform colour image on different surfaces.

New color shades are being sought in the automotive sector in order to stand out from other manufacturers. At present, the copper/bronze color in various color shades is trendy. But for use in automobiles, the colored coatings must be particularly temperature-stable and corrosion-resistant.

With its Nanoseal® high-temperature coating, EPG AG offers a good and long-proven basis that exhibits high corrosion resistance in the high-temperature range. For the required bronze color it was the greatest challenge to achieve color stability in the red color spectrum. By selecting specific pigments, it was possible to achieve metallic and iridescent copper shades that passed the 500°C temperature shock test which is required by the automotive sector. There is also a major financial advantage: because this coating does not have to be produced under inert gas or in a two-layer process.

Aesthetic surfaces of metals coupled with high functionality have become essential in many areas of daily life. EPG AG’s coating systems are also suitable for component groups made of different metals.

EPG AG's innovative coating systems have been on the market in the automotive industry for a long time and are gaining increasing popularity in other sectors as well. A large number of metals can be refined with sol-gel-based systems. These can be applied as an invisible transparent protection for brushed, blasted or highly polished metal surfaces, which are protected against contamination, which are robust against external influences such as scratches or aggressive substances, or have a high corrosion protection or a special temperature stability.

By selecting suitable pigments, the coating lacquers can also be produced in color. EPG offers a wide range of color pigments for this purpose. At the customer's request, suitable mixing processes of different color pigments and measurement of the corresponding color values can be used to produce reproducible, customized colored coatings. We can also adjust the desired gloss levels, e.g. matt or high-gloss coatings.

Due to the very low layer thickness, the metallic character of the substrate is retained; brush structures or surface reliefs remain visible even after coating.

The coloured coatings can be applied to aluminium as well as stainless steel or other metals. Thus this technology also enables the coating of complex component groups composed of different metals with the result of a uniform colour image on the surface.

Photo credit:                           ©Maksym Yemelyanov-stock.adobe.com

In September 2019 the international exhibition for consumer electronics in Berlin (IFA) has been the meeting point for most of the key retailers, buyers and experts in this industry and presented the latest products and innovations. EPG met special costumers and informed about our coating solutions for high-end products.

Visiting the IFA show EPG found it again confirmed that today end customers are increasingly paying attention for high quality products. Many suppliers use valuable materials on electronics parts like wood, leather and especially metals instead of plastics. For instance aluminium and stainless steel are often used on products for electronic devices in different fields. In order to achieve good properties as well as an appealing visual appearance these metals require surface treatments.

Today, anodizing is often used for aluminium whereas PVD and chrome plating are the most common for stainless steel; but all these treatments have disadvantages such as lack of tarnish protection, lack of colour variations or they're harmful to the environment.

At the IFA Berlin EPG took the opportunity to inform customers about our coating solutions. Our Nanoseal® and Saphiral® patented coatings can be applied on a wide variety of stainless-steel alloys as well as on most of the aluminium ones. Also they can be applied directly on the raw material of any finish (untreated, sanded, brushed, etched, mirror polished) as well as on top of other surface treatments (like anodizing, PVD).

EPG AG wants to intensify research projects for the oil and gas industry

At the beginning of the year, Dr. Emilie Perre took over the position of Head of Research at IMC Technologies SAS. IMC is a one-hundred percent subsidiary of EPG AG, in which the research work on the surface coating is bundled. As a leading specialist for high-performance coatings, EPG AG develops innovative and tailor-made solutions based on sol-gel coating systems. The know-how of chemical nanotechnology is continuously expanded and deepened in continuous research work and in close contact with customers.

"We are very pleased that we have finally been able to fill this long vacant position in our subsidiary," explains Dr. Andreas Zimmermann, CEO of EPG AG. "With her many years of research experience in various international institutes and subject areas of materials science, she has the necessary qualifications to enhance our research work in a targeted manner. Dr. Perre will take over the management of the research and development department and expand the existing project work. It is planned to establish new research cooperation and to support new projects in the oil and gas industry.

With a new "invisible" coating solution, the mechanical properties of PVD surfaces can be significantly improved. EPG AG is currently working on completely replacing a PVD treatment with a single layer.

With a new colored surface coating for aluminium parts, EPG AG can meet the high demands of the aviation industry. The sol-gel coating resists high mechanical loads, convinces with its very good appearance and can replace the anodising process of the aluminium parts.

The main reasons for the use of aluminium alloys in the aerospace industry are the low weight and high mechanical stability of the material. In particular, the Al7xxx series combines these properties and is used for cabin components. Previously, these parts are usually subjected to an electrochemical surface treatment (anodisation), which has a clear disadvantage: the Al7xxx alloy series shows a non-uniform surface appearance after anodising. This is perceived by the customer as visually disturbing, particularly in the case of exposed parts in the visible range, and does not meet the aesthetic requirements of aircraft manufacturers.

EPG AG has now developed a colored sol-gel coating that reliably guarantees a uniform surface appearance. This means that all customer requirements regarding mechanical and chemical stability as well as optical requirements can be met to the complete satisfaction. With a complete sol-gel coating of the components, it is also possible to dispense with the anodising process and thus save one work step.

Neuer Roboter erhöht die Effizienz der Bemusterung für die Metall­beschich­tung

Mit der Erneuerung der Testkabinen- und Roboter­anlage für das Bemusterungs­verfahren hat die EPG AG einen deut­lichen Schritt zur Effizienz­steigerung getan.

Als Anbieter von inno­vativen Be­schich­tungs­lösun­gen für Metall­ober­flächen ist die Stärke die EPG AG die kunden­spezi­fische Ent­wicklung und Fertigung von innovativen Nano­werkstof­fen auf Basis der chemischen Sol-gel-Techno­logie. Umfang­reiche Forschungs- und Ent­wicklungs­auf­gaben erfordern auch ein auto­mati­siertes Bemusterung­sver­fahren, mit dem die Qualität und Eigen­schaften der neu ent­wickel­ten Be­schich­tungen geprüft werden müssen.

„Mit dieser Anlage sind wir jetzt in der Lage, nicht nur unsere Kapa­zitäten in der Bemusterung zu erhöhen, sondern auch die Effizienz der Verfahrens­abläufe zu verbessern“, erläutert Vorstands­vorsitzender Dr. Andreas Zimmermann. Gleich­zeitig stehe mehr Personal für die Automa­tisierung zur Verfügung, so dass die EPG AG für die Entwicklungs­arbeiten im Unter­nehmen gut aufge­stellt sei.

Nanoglue® in Feldversuchen erfolgreich getestet

Anfang Februar hatte die EPG AG die Gelegenheit, die Ergebnisse von Feldversuchen zur Sandkonsolidierung auf einer internationalen Konferenz der Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) vorzustellen, die mit dem Produkt Nanoglue® in Indonesien durchgeführt wurden. Diese Versuche waren das Ergebnis einer Zusammenarbeit mit TOTAL.

Den Prozess der Entwicklung des Produktes vom Labor bis zur Feldanwendung stellte Projektleiter Julien Andrieu auf der Konferenz vor, die unter dem Titel „International Conference and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control“ in Lafayette, Louisina, USA, stattfand. Insgesamt fanden 8 Feldversuche in drei verschiedenen Phasen in Indonesien statt, die positive und vielversprechende Ergebnisse brachten.

Die entsprechende Veröffentlichung (SPE-189548-MS) ist hier verfügbar.

EPG (Engineered nanoProducts Germany) AG: Kapitalerhöhung voll gezeichnet und planmäßig durchgeführt – Gestärkte Finanzbasis ermöglicht Wachstum

Die EPG (Engineered nanoProducts Germany) AG, Griesheim (ISIN DE000A0J3TN2, WKN A0J3TN), hatte auf der Hauptversammlung vom 21. April 2017 beschlossen, eine Barkapitalerhöhung unter Gewährung von Bezugsrechten an die Altaktionäre durchzuführen. Die Durchführung der Kapitalerhöhung wurde am 25. September 2017 in das Handelsregister beim Amtsgericht Darmstadt eingetragen. Mit der jetzt erfolgten Kapitalerhöhung, die voll gezeichnet wurde, wird der Gesellschaft Eigenkapital in Höhe von knapp 2,1 Mio. € zugeführt. Die Gesellschaft weist nach der beantragten Eintragung im Handelsregister ein Grundkapital in Höhe von 2.062.213 € aus.

Dr. Andreas Zimmermann, Vorstand der Gesellschaft, zeigt sich äußerst zufrieden mit dem Ergebnis: „Wir sind fest überzeugt, dass wir mit den neuen Finanzmitteln und der Stärkung unserer Eigenkapital-Basis die Weichen für weiteres Wachstum gestellt haben. Wir werden damit auch neue Großaufträge gewinnen können.“

Mit dem Kapitalzufluss wird die EPG AG Kapazitätserweiterungen vornehmen und über zusätzliches Working Capital verfügen. Für das Segment Metallbeschichtung ist der Aufbau zusätzlicher Fertigungskapazitäten anvisiert, um weitere Serienproduktionen aufzubauen. Zu den Kunden der EPG zählen mittelständische und große Unternehmen in der Automobil- und Elektroindustrie ebenso wie aus der Lifestyle- und Designbranche.