EGL – ETL – ECL
Coating steel strip has various applications. The three main galvanic applications are zinc (EGL), tin (ETL) and chromium (ECL).
Galvanizing (EGL) is mainly used in the automotive industry. A commonly used term for galvanizing is galvanizing; however, this is not right. Electroplating is the general term, galvanizing is only one part of the electroplating, which, in addition to zinc, can also be nickel, tin, chromium or even silver and gold.
Tin plating and chrome plating are used in the food industry (tinplate) and in the packaging industry. Oxygen-producing anodes are used for these applications, each of which is provided with a specifically designed Iridium Tantalum Mixed Oxide coating.
EGL - zinc
Zinc is used for galvanizing many objects in order to obtain a coating that is highly resistant to corrosion.
There are different galvanizing methods; electrolytic galvanizing and hot-dip galvanizing. Both the process and the result are different from each other. Both processes have their pros and cons.
Electrolytic galvanizing
The first important process for Zinc is electroplating, EGL. In this case, the zinc layer is much thinner than with hot-dip galvanizing, so that, for example, the finishing of screw threads is not necessary.
The main application is the galvanizing of steel strip, especially for the automotive industry. The electrochemical process creates a good bond.
Titanium anodes are often used for this process, with titanium as the base material. These titanium anodes are provided with a MEMOX MMO coating.
Hot dip galvanizing
The following process is not electrolytic and is popularly called dip galvanizing or hot dip galvanizing. In this case, the zinc layer is considerably thicker, which means that post-processing is often necessary. In addition, there is a greater chance of deformation.
Steel strip is hot-dip galvanized because this process is cheaper than electrolytic galvanizing. The belt is pulled through a dissolved zinc bath and the Zinc precipitates on the steel belt. This galvanized material is used, among other things, for the white goods industry.
In other applications, products are immersed in a large bath and the Zinc precipitates on the total product, including on the inside. The disadvantage of this is that the layer thickness is not completely uniformly distributed.
In this process, zinc is dissolved outside the process bath and pumped through the process bath and kept to specification.
MEMOX MMO anodes for steel strip coating
MEMOX MMO anodes for steel strip coating are oxygen producing anodes which are provided with a specifically designed Iridium Tantalum Mixed Oxide coating. The anodes are often used in combination with often complex power supplies.
ME-Metals & Technologies BV advises on, produces and supplies MEMOX MMO anodes for EGL installations with the appropriate high demands on, among other things, the working conditions and long-term use.
We also design and produce the anode constructions to guarantee a good current flow.
Based on our many years of experience, we are happy to advise you!
ETL - tin
Tin plating is mainly used in the food industry. Tinning is mainly done on steel strip in a so-called Electro Tinning Line (ETL). These massive installations are used to tin a steel strip, which is used for the production of beverage, food and aerosol cans. ME-Metals & Technologies BV can supply MEMOX MMO anodes for the two main process types of tin plating, namely phenolsulphonic acid (PSA) or methanesulphonic acid (MSA).
ECL - chrome
Chrome plating is a relatively new process compared to tin plating and galvanizing of steel strip. It has become a competitive process for tinning in the canning industry. The ECL process is also known as TFS (Tin Free Steel) or ECCS (Electrolytic Chromium Coated Steel).
In addition to the MEMOX MMO anodes, ME-Metals & Technologies BV also has the essential peripheral equipment in its program, such as the supply of power lines, connectors and titanium fasteners; bolts, nuts, washers & threaded rods.
