Powdertech Surface Science
About us
Powdertech Surface Science is the most technically advanced provider of aluminium powder coating and chrome-free pre-treatments in the UK.
We have a proven track record of delivering precision powder coating services for leading-edge manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, medical, lighting and other specialised industrial sectors for over 40 years.
Our dedicated engineering and technical team are on hand to support all your needs from start to finish. We have been working with OEM and Tier 1 companies on international research projects.
Powdertech’s range of services includes -
1. INTRICOAT - Premium powder coating for machined aluminium components
2. TIZr Passivation
3. Iridite NCP
4. Aluminium Powder Coating
5. Magnesium Powder Coating
6. Testing and Development
Powdertech Surface Science is certified to: ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Products & services
INTRICOAT - precision masking & powder coating
INTRICOAT is precise, defect-free, intricate powder coating with powder coat masking for low volume machined components. This is powder coating as you have never seen it before. Maskings schemes are prepared by our expert team on CAD, in discussion with you. Masking and coating is carried out in a laboratory style room with conscientious attention to detail and quality control. Your machined components have been expertly designed and engineered. They need a beautiful, durable finish. They need INTRICOAT. We are proud of INTRICOAT and take great pleasure in producing a skilled and flawless finish for your product. Designing a masking scheme. Intricate components require very precise areas of surface coating, often defined by masking schemes. We can design these schemes with you to a very high degree of accuracy on a 3D CAD system, meaning that potential pitfalls can be ruled out at the design stage before any prototypes need to be made. Coating thicknesses and tolerances will require careful measurement and monitoring. Specialist coatings and primers may be required. Every angle of every component will need to be scrutinised before it leaves our plant. INTRICOAT brings all of these disciplines together in a dedicated facility.
TiZr Passivation - Chrome free conversion Coating
TiZr is shorthand for the titanium zirconium passivation process applied to aluminium components. This removes the natural oxide layer and replaces it with a stable, chemically modified ‘shield’ layer. Passivation is also referred to as conversion coating. TiZr passivation creates a stable surface which will allow bonding and welding processes to deliver repeatable, strong, durable adhesive bonds. This conversion coating process also provides a stable base for powder coating and offers additional protection against corrosion. As the first metal treatment provider in the UK to install TiZr as a chrome-free passivation process (since 2001), Powdertech Surface Science is the most experienced outsource TiZr pre-treatment provider in the country with an unrivalled body of knowledge. We use the latest Gardobond® systems for TiZr passivation and apply it to aluminium components (cast, extruded or formed) to enhance adhesive durability for metal-to-metal bonding and welding. Powdertech TiZr matches anodising for enhanced adhesive bonding. Extensive testing shows that the stable, protective passivation layer achieved through Powdertech TiZr matches the performance of anodising for durability of adhesive joints. TiZr pre-treatment has a faster lead time than anodising, uses less energy and is a more cost-effective and environmentally appropriate process than anodising.
Powder coating aluminium
Aluminium powder coating and surface treatments for bonding If you are looking for a dependable powder coating partner who cares about your business outcomes, you are in the right place. Getting to know you and your products is at the heart of what we do. Through building a close working relationship with you we can be responsive to your business needs – helping you to keep the promises you have made to your customers. Why choose Powdertech powder coating for aluminium Your project becomes our focus You will have our support from design and prototype stage through to full production volumes with a technical, consultative and practical approach. You will benefit from our experience which covers small complex components to extrusions four metres in length, and specialist tasks such as masking. We take pride in our work and have a strict quality control regime for pre-treatment and coating systems as you would expect from a Syntha Pulvin® Approved Applicator. Exceptionally high standards of service We use high performance powders and the latest automatic powder coating spray equipment to ensure a consistent finish. We regularly invest in new equipment and facilities. Your metal will be pre-treated and coated to an exceptionally high standard and we go beyond that - our expertise extends to developing new pre-treatments and powder coatings for unique applications. Powder coating plant capacity You can send us low-volume, fast turnaround prototype parts as well as tightly controlled production components. Our facility can process small, fragile aluminium and magnesium components, as well as accommodating sections up to 4 metres long. We have a pilot line facility for development work, prototype testing and scale-up validated to two automated production lines.
INTRICOAT
Machined components are becoming ever more complex together with an increasing demand for finishes with premium aesthetics. This has intensified the requirement for precise powder coating on advanced and often delicate designs. Our INTRICOAT service provides a hands-on service for intricate designs, utilising masking schemes designed on CAD systems. We have invested in a dedicated separate facility, located within our plant, to be used exclusively for handling these small, complex components in low volume.
INTRICOAT masking
The ever increasing complexity and artistry of machined components in the UK has intensified the requirement for precise powder coating on advanced designs. This final stage of manufacture, the finish, seems inevitably to be under time pressure. You need your coating to be planned, executed and successfully completed to meet those tight deadlines. We understand these demands, and that they are growing year by year. In order to improve the service we offer and to help you meet the needs of your own customers, we have invested in a dedicated separate facility, located within our plant, to be used exclusively for handling small, complex components. The final stage for your precision part is the precision coating. With INTRICOAT we can plan that stage with you to be ready when you are.
INTRICOAT : Medical masking
At Powdertech Surface Science, we understand that the medical sector demands absolute perfection. With our INTRICOAT solution, we deliver precision powder coating for complex, machined components. Specialised Expertise: Our experience allows us to understand your unique specifications and tailor our process including pre-treatment, masking, and coating. Bespoke 3D Masking: Our engineers can design custom 3D masking for complex components to improve accuracy, aesthetics and functionality of the machined components. Advanced On-Site Testing and quality control: We have an in-house lab with a range of tests available including cleanliness levels and coating thickness to ensure optimal powder coating results are achieved.
On site wet lab facility
Daily control and maintenance The processes and chemicals used in our aluminium surface treatments are measured and tested throughout the day, every day, in our Quality Control Laboratory. This is to ensure that concentrations, pH levels and cleanliness are optimal and consistent.
Instron machine
Instron equipment is an electromechanical universal testing machine, able to perform a wide range of mechanical tests including tensile, compression, bend, peel, tear, friction, and shear testing. Tests are performed on all the aluminium alloys we work with, from 3xxx series up to 7xxx series, and in all formats, cast, extruded and sheet. The results of our Instron testing enable us to work with our clients to help them to understand the optimal surface finishing pre-treatment process they need to take their bonding strategies to the next level, and to achieve repeatability going forwards. The Instron 34TM-50 tests materials in accordance with ASTM, ISO and other industry standards. It has a 50kN load cell and 80mm wide grips, with a thermal chamber capable of reaching 350C.
Powdertech Surface Science achieves ISO 14001 certification approved by LRQA
Powdertech Surface Science has underlined its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices through achieving ISO 14001 certification, approved by LRQA. ISO 14001 is more than a certification; it’s a reflection of our values and a driving force behind the continuous improvement of our systems. Together, we are building a greener and a more sustainable future.
On-site lab style room for INTRICOAT
What is INTRICOAT? INTRICOAT is precise, defect-free, intricate powder coating with powder coat masking for low-volume machined components.
INTRICOAT's precision masking
At INTRICOAT, masking schemes are prepared by our expert team on CAD, in discussion with you. Masking and coating are carried out in a laboratory-style room with conscientious attention to detail and quality control.
Medical robots parts
Working with a partner on a component for a robotic surgery system, Cambridge Design had found that even lightweight aluminium was too heavy, so acute were the tolerances of the system. This meant that magnesium AZ80 was introduced alongside aluminium alloys. Metals used for medical equipment require powder coating in most instances and this was no exception. The powder coating protects the underlying metal from any corrosive substances or abrasion and provides an easy-to-clean surface. Powdertech Surface Science is very familiar with coating magnesium parts as well as aluminium and has unrivalled expertise in masking procedures for intricate and complex designs. See our INTRICOAT service page. With the masking scheme agreed, we carried out chrome-free pre-treatment followed by precise custom masking and final coating with a high performance Syntha Pulvin powder coated finish. This all takes place in the dedicated INTRICOAT facility within our plant.
Corrosion protection for a radar system
Blighter Surveillance Systems designs and makes electronic-scanning (e-scan) ground radar systems for national border security, counter-drone, wide area surveillance and coastline security. These products employ unique award-winning technology and are generally regarded as best-in-class. Cast aluminium housings for the radar systems require meticulous powder coating. Blighter selected Powdertech’s INTRICOAT service to satisfy stringent requirements. Powdertech’s Intricoat team had previously designed a masking scheme on CAD, in conjunction with Blighter Surveillance Systems. Powdertech has a wealth of experience in designing and implementing these schemes and is very aware of what works and what does not. With masking in place, the components were powder coated, all work being carried out in the dedicated Intricoat room within the Powdertech plant. Handling of parts through the powder coating process needed bespoke jigging arrangements by Powdertech to control weight distribution and ensure consistent and even coverage.