Qualicoat approvals
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Worldwide quality label for aluminium pre-treatment
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Independently tested
AD Chemicals offers various Qualicoat approved pre-treatment systems, both on a chromium trivalent basis and completely chrome free.
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Qualicoat approvals
Qualicoat is an European based institute that grants approvals for alternative aluminium pretreatment systems produced by chemical manufacturers worldwide.
AD Chemicals is a proud Qualicoat member for more than 15 years. Below table shows the Qualicoat approvals of AD.
| Product | Qualicoat certification number | Since | Chemical technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| PreCoat CR Free | A-021 | 2003-05-23 | chrome free |
| PreCoat Color | A-096 | 2013-07-25 | chrome free |
| PreCoat A34 | A-126 | 2016-12-05 | chrome(III) |
What is Qualicoat?
Qualicoat is a global quality label organisation committed to maintaining the quality of lacquering, painting and coating on aluminium and its alloys for architectural applications. It is a not ‘for profit association’. Its registered office is situated in Zurich, Switzerland. Qualicoat is the world’s leading quality label for the coating of aluminium.
Laboratory tests to meet Qualicoat standard
In order to comply with the Qualicoat standard the following tests have to be completed satisfactory.
| Quality test | Details | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Dry adhesion | ISO 2409: The adhesive tape is prescribed by the standard. The spacing of the cuts shall be 1 mm for organic coating thicknesses of up to 60 μm, 2 mm for thicknesses between 60 μm and 120 μm, and 3 mm for thickness over 120 μm. | The result shall be 0. |
| Cupping | ||
| Bend | All organic coatings except class 1.5, 2 and 3 powder coatings 3: ISO 1520 Class 1.5, 2 and 3 powder coatings: ISO 1520 followed by a tape pull adhesion test | Minimum 5 mm for powder coatings (classes 1, 1.5, 2 and 3) Minimum 5 mm for liquid coatings Using normal corrected vision, the organic coating shall not show any sign of cracking or detachment, except for class 1.5, 2 and 3 powder coatings. Class 1.5, 2 and 3 powders coatings: Using normal corrected vision, the organic coating shall not show any sign of detachment following the tape pull adhesion test. |
| Impact | The impact shall be carried out on the reverse side, whereas the results shall be assessed on the coated side. – Class 1 powder coatings (one- and two-coat), energy: 2.5 Nm: ISO 6272-2 / ASTM D 2794 (indenter diameter: 15.9 mm) – Two-coat PVDF powder coatings, energy: 1.5 Nm: ISO 6272-1 or ISO 6272-2 / ASTM D 2794 (indenter diameter: 15.9 mm) – Class 1.5, 2 and 3 powder coatings, energy: 2.5 Nm: ISO 6272-1 or ISO 6272-2 / ASTM D 2794 (indenter diameter: 15.9 mm) followed by a tape pull adhesion test as specified below. | Using normal corrected vision, the organic coating shall not show any sign of cracking or detachment, except for class 1.5, 2 and 3 powder coatings. Class 1.5, 2 and 3 powder coatings: Using normal corrected vision, the organic coating shall not show any sign of detachment following the tape pull adhesion test. |
| Resistance to humid atmospheres | ISO 3231 (0,2 l SO2 – 24 cycles). A cross-cut incision with a width of 1 mm shall be made to cut the organic coating down to the metal. | No infiltration exceeding 1 mm on both sides of the scratch, and no change in colour or blisters in excess of 2 (S2) according to ISO 4628-2. |
| Acetic acid salt spray | ISO 9227. A cross-cut incision with a width of 1 mm shall be made to cut the organic coating down to the metal. The test shall be carried out on three test pieces of AA 6060 or AA 6063. For all organic coatings except class 3 powder coatings: testing time: 1000 hours For class 3 powder coatings: testing time: 2000 hours | No blistering in excess of 2 (S2) according to ISO 4628-2. An infiltration of maximum 16 mm2 is allowed over a scratch length of 10 cm but the length of any single infiltration shall not exceed 4 mm. |
| Wet adhesion | Boiling water Immerse a sample in boiling demineralised water. Remove the sample and allow it to cool down to room temperature. he cross-cut shall be made after one hour but within two hours. | On visual inspection, there shall be no sign of detachment or blistering. Some colour change is acceptable. |
| Condensation water | ISO 6270-2 A cross-cut incision with a width of at least 1 mm shall be made to score the organic coating down to the metal. The test duration is 1000 hours for all organic coatings except class 3 and 2000 hours for class 3 organic coatings. | No blistering in excess of 2 (S2) according to ISO 4628-2; the maximum infiltration at the cross is 1 mm. |
| Filiform corrosion | ISO 4623–2 with the following modification The scratches shall be made as follows: Make the horizontal and vertical incisions (method A) with a length of 10 cm each. If the panels are not wide enough, the horizontal incisions may be replaced by two incisions, each 5 cm in length, at the top and bottom of the panel. | Acceptable limits within 10 cm on each side of the scratch L (longest filament) ≤ 4 mm M (average length of filaments) ≤ 2 mm Number of filaments ≤ 20 |
AD, the chrome-free specialist
Also companies that are seeking improvement in an already chromefree process can count on AD. AD has an extensive track record in optimizing the performance and efficiency of chemical pretreatment lines.
Aluminium
AD Chemicals supplies a range of products for the pre-treatment prior to powder coating, anodizing and passivation of aluminum substrates
Galvanized alloys
AD Chemicals supplies a range of products for the pre-treatment of hot dip galvanized steel and for hot zinc processes.
Iron and Steel
AD Chemicals has built a reputation for innovation and product improvement and has developed a range of alternative products for the phosphating process based on polymers and silane based binders
Multimetal
AD Chemicals produce and supply a range of products that surround the electro-chemical polishing process of many substrates such as titanium, stainless steel and aluminum.
