Strict REACH regulations require a change in thinking, and many customers are seeking environmentally friendly coating processes.
For more than 15 years, EPG AG has been developing coating solutions based on sol-gel technology that can serve as an alternative to chrome-plated surfaces. With the products Nanoseal® for high-temperature applications and Saphiral® for low-temperature applications, ultra-thin layers are accessible, allowing the appearance and feel of metals to be preserved. Many color nuances create interesting and fashionable accents that are appreciated by customers.
Both Nanoseal® and Saphiral® are REACH-compliant coatings. As they consist predominantly of glass, they contain no substances of health or environmental concern and are even suitable for use in the food industry. The advantages are obvious and thus offer customers a good alternative to chrome plating processes and other environmentally harmful coatings.
Coatings for plastic surfaces and with biocidal effects are currently under development. Initial tests show good results and demonstrate that sol-gel technology can also provide solutions for these areas.
In addition to the optical enhancement of aluminum, Saphiral® offers excellent properties to resist mechanical and chemical influences: whether abrasion resistance, scratch hardness, and also resistance to e.g., hand perspiration, all customer requirements can be individually adapted.