Posted to News on 13th Dec 2024, 09:10
Transformative coatings expand industry capabilities
Customers of igus are experiencing the benefit of the impressive properties of coatings with the company's low friction coatings range. For example, a steel sheet can be transformed into a low friction and wear-resistant plate. Or a metal component can be coated using iglidur ic-05 to become a blue-coloured, corrosion-resistant part that is FDA compliant and approved for use in the food industry.
(See igus at FoodManufacturing.Live, 15 October 2025, on stand 62)
Coatings play a crucial role in various industries, providing protection and enhancing the performance of a range of materials. BBC Business News recently published an article titled "The superpowers of coatings make possible the impossible", which highlighted ground-breaking advancements in high technology coatings.
The article focused on their use for jet engines, explaining how coatings enable metal jet engines to operate at temperatures higher than the melting point of the metal itself. This transformative power of coatings was emphasised with the statement, "This is the power of coatings - they radically transform the functionality and capabilities of an underlying material."
Talking about the igus coatings, managing director at igus UK, Matthew Aldridge, says: "This technology has the potential to radically alter engineering designs. The tribological properties of our materials are well-known and can be precisely calculated. Instead of creating an additional separate component, the metal part is simply powder-coated with this high technology plastic."
The implications of these advancements extend far beyond jet engines. In many industries, from furniture to food processing, the ability to enhance the properties of metal components through advanced coatings opens up new possibilities for innovation and efficiency.
For example, in the furniture industry, components that are subject to high wear and friction such as window slides and door hinges can benefit from iglidur IC-01 or IC-02 coatings, creating longer-lasting parts and reducing maintenance costs. Similarly, in the food processing industry, the use of the FDA-approved coatings, iglidur IC-05 and IC-05PF ensures that machinery components meet stringent safety standards while offering superior performance.
A game changer for machine builders
For machine builders, the introduction of igus tribocoatings represents a significant step in the right direction. These coatings not only improve the performance and durability of metal parts but also simplify the manufacturing process.
By applying a high technology plastic coating directly to the metal part, engineers can achieve the desired tribological properties without the need for additional components. This streamlined approach reduces complexity and usually leads to cost savings in both production and maintenance.
To support machine builders interested in exploring the benefits of low friction and wear-resistant tribocoatings, igus UK is currently offering a free coating service for engineers. This allows engineers to test the coatings on their products, providing a first hand experience of their transformative potential. After sending in the metal part that needs testing, engineers will receive it back coated in the material best suited to their application, enabling them to evaluate the performance improvements directly.
