Preparation of bands

Frames to hold the bands were constructed by welding iron together into a rectangular frame. The individual wire’s on each frame specifically have been made specifically to hold Crested Tern band (size 7). Bands are manually placed onto ten frames, which contain individual wire’s for each band to be suspended from. Each frame holds 100 bands so a total of 1000 bands are powdercoated annually.

Powdercoating Process

The automated powdercoating procedure features a 7 stage zinc phosphate pretreatment system that allows coating of various base metals. The bands are then dried off for eight minutes at 230°C. A polyester powder is then applied of whatever commercially available colour. The powder used for the process is a mixture of finely ground particle of pigment additives and resins’, which is electrostatically applied (or perhaps better described as being "fogged") onto the surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the electrically grounded surfaces until heated and fused into a smooth coating which cures for a total of 20 minutes. The result is a uniform, durable, high quality, and attractive finish.

Performance

The standard durability of the polyester exterior formulation is:

2 hours, Water Immersion at 40°C

240 hours, 98% Humidity at 40°C

240 hours, Neutral Salt Spray per ASTM B117.

For further information contact Clive Minton.