Asterion has completed the conversion from the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to the GHS compliant Safety Data Sheet (SDS). We are currently distributing the SDS to customers. A SDS was sent for any products purchased after January 1, 2014. This time frame was based on the standard expiration, of one year, for Asterion products. Those that have requested the SDS in hard copy format, they were mailed on April 24. Those that requested the e-mail format, should have received those SDS between April 23 and April 28. Asterion has made the conversion to the use of the new label format. You … [Read more...]
April 12, 2016 By
How Does GHS Affect Me?
This article is the second in a three part series on hazard standards and labeling. Read the first article on GHS here. Now that we have defined GHS (Globally Harmonized System) , its purpose and the changes to the hazard communication system, let's discuss how it will affect you. The requirements of the global harmonization system will affect everyone from the manufacturer to the end user. In this post we will discuss the regulatory timeline and the basic requirements. If you need additional information we encourage you to access OSHA’s webpage for full text of the regulation and letters … [Read more...]
April 3, 2016 By
Hazard Communication: What is GHS?
This article is the first in a three part series on Hazard Communication and chemical safety. What is GHS? In the most basic of terms, GHS is the revised Hazard Communication program adopted by the occupation safety and health administration (OSHA). More specifically, GHS is an acronym for Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals. OSHA explains, "This is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals." Purpose OSHA explains GHS has three main purposes: defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals, … [Read more...]
March 22, 2016 By
The Basics of Electroplating
Even though many people refer to plating as an “art”, there is no doubt that sound scientific principles and practices are critical to successful plating finishes. The basics of electroplating start with an understanding of the metallurgical properties of the substrates to be plated. This is crucial because the most important process in plating is the pre-treatment of the substrate. The choice of cleaning chemistry is dictated by the alloy of the metal as well as the soils to be removed. Soils such as oils, paraffins, and buffing compounds are normally encountered in the plating process, … [Read more...]
March 17, 2016 By
Functional Zinc Plating
Electrodeposited zinc is used for coating iron and steel parts when protection from the corrosive effects of the atmosphere is the primary goal. Zinc however by itself, while offering sacrificial corrosion protection based upon its larger negative electro-potential than iron, is not used without subsequent treatment. Electroplated zinc becomes dull gray after exposure to air, so that bright zinc is give a subsequent post treatment in a conversion coating which most often contains either hexavalent or trivalent chrome. Non-chrome bearing conversion coatings have also been … [Read more...]
March 9, 2016 By
Tips to Overcome the Confusion and Trials of “Tribal Knowledge”
"Tribal knowledge" is any unwritten information that is not commonly known by others within a company. This term is used most when referencing information that may need to be known by others in order to produce a quality product or service. I have been hearing this term a lot lately, I found out it may have been made popular by Six Sigma training. In the metal finishing industry, we are faced with a lot of turnover, death, extinction/rebirth of plating machines, employment position eliminations, and new workers into the workforce. Along with these challenges, the "basics" of metal finishing … [Read more...]
March 8, 2016 By
Innovative Technology: TECHNICOAT 360 Ultra
TECHNICOAT 360 Ultra provides an optimum synergistic interaction with subsequent Asterion topcoats. The use of Asterion inorganic mineral, organic and hybrid topcoats all enhance the corrosion resistance of the zinc plated substrate. TECHNICOAT 360 Ultra also forms an outstanding base onto which torque and tension sealers may be applied. Read More … [Read more...]
March 3, 2016 By
Winning the War on Filth – Part 2
I've encountered a lot of frustrations dealing with oxidation scale or scale from welding, heat treating, or laser cutting. The customer doesn't communicate to the finisher that the new soil source is coming their way; then the temp worker hangs the part on the auto line; next thing you know the temp worker is reworking hundreds of parts due to blisters and poor plating coverage. So what system will work to help remove the standard soils you may be encountering and still survive the attack of a foreign scale? Here are some suggestions that have worked for some of my clients, as well as some … [Read more...]
February 24, 2016 By
What To Know When Switching Soak Cleaners
When selecting "the best" cleaner for your operation, it is important to look at many factors. Each type offers their own benefits and disadvantages. I've listed some of the important things to consider when making your selection, but it will come down to working with a trusted vendor to work and test through your options before making your final selection. The simple answer is that all or one of the types of cleaners may be the best choice for your operation. Consider these three categories to narrow your search: substrate (the surface or type of metal you are cleaning), the soils you need … [Read more...]