Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • MATERIALS
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • RESOURCES
  • EVENTS
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Latest News
  • Market Trends & Reports
  • Price Alerts
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
  • Weekly Featured Article
  • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
  • Product News
  • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
  • Additives
  • Resins/Polymers
  • Pigments
  • Equipment
  • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
  • Adhesives
  • Architectural Coatings
  • FINISHING
  • Industrial Coatings
  • Nanotechnology
  • Powder Coatings
  • Solventborne
  • Special Purpose Coatings
  • Sustainability
  • UV Coatings
  • Waterborne
  • FINISHING
  • Finishing News
  • Finishing Technologies
  • Finishing Equipment
  • Finishing Today
  • RESOURCES
  • Columns
  • Blogs
  • Coatings Supplier Handbook
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • PCI Store
  • Classifieds
  • eBooks
  • Sponsor Insights
  • White Papers
  • COATLE Word Game
  • Columns
  • Ask Joe Powder
  • Did you know?
  • Distribution Dive
  • Focus on Canada
  • Formulating With Mike
  • Innovation Insights
  • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
  • Powder Coating Perspectives
  • Target the Market
  • TiO2 Insider
  • Blogs
  • Editor's Viewpoint
  • Industry Insights
  • Podcasts and Videos
  • COAT-IT! Podcast
  • Videos/PCI TV
  • EVENTS
  • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
  • Paint and Coatings Academy
  • Webinars
  • Calendar of Events
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
  • Buyer's Guide
  • Equipment Directory
  • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
  • Current Issue
  • eMagazine Archive
  • China Issue Archive
  • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to eMagazine
  • Subscribe to eNewsletters
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!
FT Archives

INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT: A Universal E-Coat

By Pat Northrup, Rob Schiller
September 1, 2007
A new e-coat technology meets a wide range of specifications within a single product. Available in both black and gray, the e-coat can be used in virtually any facility and meets the volatile organic compound (VOC) and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) demands currently enforced by environmental agencies.



During the past several years, a proliferation of electrocoat (e-coat) products have been developed to meet unique specifications for various automotive parts and subassemblies, including engine cradles, service parts, springs and frames. Although some of these e-coat products have met multiple specifications, the broad performance requirements of the different parts being finished have precluded the use of a single e-coat for all applications.

Recently, BASF Corp. has developed a new e-coat technology that meets a wide range of specifications within a single product. Available in both black and gray, the e-coat can be used in virtually any facility and meets the volatile organic compound (VOC) and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) demands currently enforced by environmental agencies. The technology can provide users with greater flexibility in metal mix and part types within a single tank, and it affords the opportunity to consolidate products among multiple production facilities. These benefits, combined with outstanding performance, ultimately enable end users to implement the most cost-effective e-coating strategy in their plants.

Figure 1. The new universal product meets or exceeds all specification tests.

Test Specifications

Unique tests are required for various automotive parts. A prime example is in the specifications for springs, frames and service parts. Compression or flexibility testing is crucial to ensure that the coating meets the functional needs of springs. For frames, the ability to protect edges and provide corrosion protection on a weak substrate is needed, while service parts require a smooth surface for subsequent topcoating.

It is clear that these requirements stretch the capabilities of e-coat products; however, the new universal e-coat can address these varied requirements. The product is designed to provide excellent corrosion protection, edge protection and other performance attributes while maintaining a smooth, Class “A” surface.

In the case of frames, specialized products have been marketed to meet demanding corrosion and edge coverage specifications. However, because these products are highly specialized, they have reduced the end user’s flexibility. This flexibility can be regained with the universal e-coat; the technology’s edge protection, corrosion resistance and smoothness enables users to process a wide variety of parts.

In addition to exhibiting these key performance improvements, the new universal product meets or exceeds all specification tests, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Table 1.

Tank Operation

Regardless of performance attributes, any e-coat that is designed for wide use must be operationally robust. The physical characteristics of the feed materials and the bath must be operational within current facilities without the need for additional equipment. Tables 1 and 2 show the characteristics of the universal e-coat, all of which are consistent with typical market expectations.

Filtration, electrification, cure requirements and other factors also must fit within current equipment capabilities. The technology’s performance characteristics are listed in Table 3 and are well within current industrial standards.

Table 2.

VOCs and HAPs

Environmental considerations are vital when choosing a coating. The universal e-coat is designed with a low VOC content and no HAPs, which is critical for compliance with the stringent permitting requirements faced by many facilities. The technology eliminates the need to track HAPs during the curing process to ensure that a facility is compliant.

Table 3

One-Component Delivery

Another consideration in running an e-coat is the method by which materials are delivered to the finishing operation. Traditionally, the emulsion and paste have been delivered as separate components. However, during the past few years, the industry has moved toward supplying these materials as a one-component mixed feed. This method of delivery provides for a simplified feed operation at the e-coat facility, as well as simplified control of the pigment-to-binder ratio (P/B) in the tank.

In keeping with these market developments, the new universal product is provided as a single-component feed. However, for increased flexibility, the product also can be supplied as a two-component material. This added flexibility is especially important when adjustments of the electrocoat tank P/B are needed or when new tanks are filled.

A Universal Solution

The new e-coat meets or exceeds the requirements for a variety of parts with varied performance specifications that are used in the automotive industry. In addition to many standard performance requirements, such as salt spray, adhesion and chip resistance, the technology also meets stringent corrosion performance and edge coverage requirements without sacrificing appearance and smoothness. With all of these benefits, the universal e-coat provides a degree of flexibility that is needed in the automotive parts e-coat industry.


For more information about the new e-coat, visit www.basf.com.


Do you know of an innovative new product that should be featured in our Innovation Spotlight? If so, contact Technical Editor Kevin Biller at 614.286.2148 or editor@finishingtodaymag.com. Products will be covered in this department at the editors’ discretion. Click here for additional innovations.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Pat Northrop is the technology manager for Undercoat Technology at BASF. He can be reached at 248.948.2563 or pat.northrup@basf.com.
Rob Schiller is the electrocoat service manager for the Electrocoat Group at BASF, a global chemical company with U.S. headquarters in Florham Park, NJ. He can be reached at 248.948.2189 or robert.schiller@basf.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • pci1022-Kinaltek-Lead-1170.jpg

    A Novel Pigment Production Technology

    Following an extensive R&D program that demonstrated...
    Paint and Coating Pigments
    By: Jawad Haidar and Nitin Soni
  • pci global top 10

    2025 Global Top 10: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    The following is PCI’s annual ranking of the top 10...
    Global Top 10 and PCI 25
    By: Courtney Bassett
  • 2025 pci 25

    2025 PCI 25: Top Paint and Coatings Companies

    PCI's annual ranking of the top 25 North American paint...
    Global Top 10 and PCI 25
    By: Courtney Bassett
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

The Coatings Minute: Your Guide to the 2025 Coatings Supplier Handbook

The Coatings Minute: Your Guide to the 2025 Coatings Supplier Handbook

The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

The Coatings Minute: Your Inside Look at PCInnovations

The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

The Coatings Minute: Print Returns with PCI’s New Showcase Issue

CTT Registration Now Open

CTT Registration Now Open

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the PCI audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of PCI or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Modern arapartment complex painted in bright colors.
    Sponsored byEPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

    Architectural Polymers Leading the Way in Coatings Innovation

  • paint sprayer in a workshop
    Sponsored byallnex

    Enabling Performance and Compliance: allnex Introduces a New Line of VOC Exempt Solvent-Borne Resins

Popular Stories

No. 7 BASF Coatings

BASF Comments on Potential Sale of Coatings Business

No. 3 AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel’s $1.4B Divestment Signals Strategy Shift

PCI voices from the top

eBook | PCI Voices from the Top



PCI Buyers Guide

Submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to suppliers of your choice with details on what you need with a click of a button

Start your RFP

Browse our Buyers Guide for manufacturers and distributors of all types of coatings products and much more!

Find Suppliers

Events

September 3, 2025

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

The Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Summit is an annual conference for both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers to discuss innovations in coatings technology. This event combines high-quality technical presentations, a resource-rich exhibit hall, and dedicated networking opportunities to connect scientific minds, foster innovation, and cultivate game-changing new ideas!

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Longest-running laboratory experiment

What is the longest-running laboratory experiment?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

CTT Summit Short Courses (Live 9/3/25)

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit is expanding its offerings with four short courses. These short courses will offer an extensive day of interactive learning.

See More Products
pci voices from the top ebook

PCI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • E-COATING The Benefits of a Two-Coat System

    See More
  • A Clear Choice for E-Coat: New Technology for Clearcoats and Colors

    See More
  • A Little Dirt Can Hurt: The Importance of E-Coat Filtration

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • social media

    Optimizing Social Media from a B2B Perspective

  • marketsandmarketslogo.jpg

    Metallic Powder Coatings Market by Process Type (Bonding, Blending, Extrusion)...

  • pci january 2020

    PCI January 2020 Issue

See More Products
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Painting & Coating Industry (PCI) logo Powder coating summit logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Market Trends & Reports
    • Price Alerts
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
    • Global Top 10/ PCI 25
    • Weekly Featured Article
    • COATLE Word Game
  • PRODUCTS
    • Product News
    • Must See Products and Services
  • MATERIALS
    • Additives
    • Resins/Polymers
    • Pigments
    • Equipment
    • Distributors
  • TECHNOLOGIES
    • Adhesives
    • Architectural Coatings
    • FINISHING
      • Finishing News
      • Finishing Technologies
      • Finishing Equipment
      • Finishing Today
    • Industrial Coatings
    • Nanotechnology
    • Powder Coatings
    • Solventborne
    • Special Purpose Coatings
    • Sustainability
    • UV Coatings
    • Waterborne
  • RESOURCES
    • Columns
      • Ask Joe Powder
      • Did you know?
      • Distribution Dive
      • Focus on Canada
      • Formulating With Mike
      • Innovation Insights
      • Moody's Coatings Conundrums
      • Powder Coating Perspectives
      • Target the Market
      • TiO2 Insider
    • Blogs
      • Editor's Viewpoint
      • Industry Insights
    • Coatings Supplier Handbook
    • Podcasts and Videos
      • COAT-IT! Podcast
      • Videos/PCI TV
    • PCI Store
    • Classifieds
    • eBooks
    • Sponsor Insights
    • White Papers
    • COATLE Word Game
  • EVENTS
    • Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit
    • Paint and Coatings Academy
    • Webinars
    • Calendar of Events
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Equipment Directory
    • Materials Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • eMagazine Archive
    • China Issue Archive
    • Editorial Advisory Board
  • CONTACT
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe to eMagazine
    • Subscribe to eNewsletters
  • SIGN UP!