Coil GmbH, Germany awarded SMS Siemag with a contract to deliver an anodizing line for aluminum strips. This new line is the first one of its kind to process aluminum strips having a width of up to 2,000 mm and thicknesses of up to 3.5 mm. With these record dimensions, Coil GmbH is expanding its product and market range.
A further highlight of the line is an electrolytic color bath that is being developed by SMS Siemag in cooperation with Coil GmbH. As early as in 2005, SMS Siemag commissioned the first anodizing plant at Coil. The new line which is designed for an annual capacity of 15,000 tonnes will be erected alongside the old one and go on stream in the middle of 2013. Besides the mechanical and processing equipment SMS Siemag will provide the electrics equipment.
Supervision of erection and subsequent commissioning are also included in the scope of supplies. The anodizing process generates a protective oxidic coating or film on the aluminum strip. This coating protects even deeper material layers against corrosion. Material wear due to abrasion is reduced and lifetime increased. Furthermore, the color coating precipitated within the protection layer is UV resistant and less susceptible. The major part of the anodized and colored aluminum strips is employed in the construction industry.
In view of its aesthetic appeal and durability, the material is also used to make suitcases and kitchen fronts. The process section starts off with the alkaline cleaning section which frees the surface of dirt particles, abrasion debris and oil. After the removal of a defined surface layer in an alkaline pickling section the neutralization takes place with acid. In the anodizing section, the aluminum strip is charged by means of an entry-side current roll and discharged in an electrolytic bath. The result of this electrochemical process is the formation of a transparent, colorless nevertheless defined oxide layer on the strip surface that ensures an excellent surface hardness and resistance to corrosion Downstream in the electrolytic color bath the strip is given its desired color.
The intensity of the color can be precisely controlled. In a hot sealing bath with nickel content, a compaction process closes the pores and permanently stores the pigments. The strip may finally be laminated with a foil. In addition to the process equipment, the line comprises two payoff reels a shear, an entry- and exit-looper, a shear and a tension reel.
SMS Siemag AG is a company of the SMS group which, under the roof of the SMS Holding GmbH, consists of a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and nonferrous metals industry. With some 11,000 employees the group generates sales of over EUR 3 billion. Inspection stands in the anodizing line of Coil GmbH.
Source - SMS Siemag
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