Impact Your Industry - Get Involved

Exciting things are happening in the anodizing industry.  AAC has aggressive and exciting plans for the coming years that will benefit AAC membership as well as the entire anodizing industry.  AAC relies on its committees (Education, Membership & Promotion) to do most of the legwork to accomplish its goals and help carry out these plans.  The standing committees guide and direct the Council’s programs and activities, developing recommendations for the Board of Directors, and implementing approved projects. Each committee is devoted to meeting the needs of Council members.

AAC needs your help.  We need more participation in our committees to help develop and implement these exciting and ambitious plans for the Council.  The value of membership in a trade association like AAC is directly proportional to each member's level of participation . . . we hope you'll truly be an active member, and take full advantage of your membership and all that it offers.  Our committees need help in multiple areas:  Marketing, Management, Manufacturing & Technical Support and Academia.  This is your chance to make an active impact on the future of your industry. You and others from your firm can help make a difference NOW.

I encourage you not to wait until the next official meeting of the committees (September, 2014) to find out how you can help.  Contact AAC at mail@anodizing.org for assistance right away and they can help get you more information about how you can get involved immediately.  We have a great group of members and take pride in all those who are able to take a leading role in influencing industry trends, setting standards and guiding future innovations.   As an active committee member for years, I can assure you it is a worthwhile and rewarding experience.  Your industry and your Council need your help.  Don’t stand on the sidelines and watch. Get involved now!!

This post was written by AAC Board of Directors Member Todd Hamilton of Southern Aluminum Finishing Company.

If your company is not a current member of AAC and you would like to join, please contact the AAC at mail@anodizing.org for more details on becoming a member and joining a committee
 

 

Nickel-Free Seals are the Responsible Choice

According to the World Health Organization, nickel is an essential element for the normal growth of many species of microorganisms and plants as well as several vertebrates. In small quantities nickel is absolutely vital but, when the uptake is too high, it can be a danger to human health.

Fortunately for anodizers, non-nickel sealants have established themselves as a reliable alternative with over 20 years of proven production success.

Because nickel-free seals contain no regulated metal and are relatively pH neutral, waste treatment is simpler, easier and cheaper compared to using a nickel-based seal.

These products can be applied alone or as the final seal in a two-step sealing system. Architectural firms can use nickel-free seals for electrolytic and clear anodized finishes. Many job shops apply them for clear and color work.

For job shop applications, the concentration of the seal can be lowered to allow a more frequent, yet economic, tank replacement while providing a fresh seal solution. This is particularly helpful in bright dip shops where phosphate contamination is the usual reason for seal tank replacement.

Bath life can be extended further by using an organic additive which can also improve the rinsing action of sealed parts, reduce sealing smut and improve sealing efficiency.

Nickel-free concentrates can produce a quality seal under mid-temperature conditions which will provide substantial savings in equipment for heating, exhaust and waste treatment.

Using a non-nickel seal in accordance with recommended practices, coatings will meet or exceed specified requirements using ASTM test methods B136, B117 and B680.

Nickel-free products also:

• Provide excellent salt spray resistance
• Do not cause yellowing of the coating
• Produce a smut-free hydrophobic surface
• Are easy to filter, titrate and control
• Extend bath life

This post was submitted by Mark Jozefowicz, VP – Technical Services for Reliant Aluminum Products.