Finishing Talk Newsletter - August 2008

AUGUST 2008

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7

WHY FILTER YOUR PLATING SOLUTION?

CONTENTS WHY FILTER? 1

INDUSTRY EVENTS

2

NEWS & NOTES

3

FROM THE FORUM

6

FINISHING SPOTLIGHT

9

THE LAST WORD

15

By: Jack H. Berg President of Serfilco

I

n an article I wrote awhile back for the P.F. Directory based on ‘tell it like it is’ opinions, I feel that I may have missed a most important fact in regards to organic removal and filtration. Other authors suggest 1½ oz. of filter aid plus up to 3 oz. of powdered carbon on their disc filters for continuous organic removal and filtration. That’s up to 3 – 4.5 oz total solids to remove what solids or organics

are present in the plating tank, or 300 to 450 oz. per 100 sq. ft. in a surface filter. That is over 18# to 27#, which goes to waste treatment every time the filter is serviced, sometimes once or twice a week, sometimes less if cleaning is less frequent, plus solution loss. The fact, which may be overlooked, is that filters remove insoluble solids - carbon absorbs organics which are in solution. The powdered carbon, which is pre-coated

Inside This Issue: From the Forum:

over Nickel (page 6)

During many of my talks around the world, I’ve opened with a remark indicating that Continued on page 4

Conference

Seattle’s Space Needle and a Century of Standards

(page 9)

(page 15)

Finishing Spotlight: 2008 Southern Metal

Plating Nickel

onto a filter surface, is not a filter aid. The diatomaceous earth is the filter aid and any powder, such as carbon, is a solid which is to a filter, a solid which lowers solids holding capacity; hence frequent servicing. Not just because the flow rate has been lowered, but because the carbon, acting like a filter, plugs up and fails to adsorb the organic impurities.

Finishing

Page 2

FINISHING TALK

INDUSTRY EVENTS 2008 August 18-19:

September 7-9:

September 15-16:

AESF Electroforming Course

12th Tech. Symposium of IHAA

Powder Coating School

Rochester, NY

Seville, Spain

Charleston, SC

(202) 457-8401

www.ihanodizing.com

surfacefinishingacademy.com

August 18-21:

September 8-13:

September 18:

Mega Rust 2008

IMTS '08

Overview of UV Coatings Tech.

Louisville, KY

Chicago, IL

Virtual Learning Conference

www.nstcenter.com

www.imts.com

www.coatingstech.org

August 19-21:

September 10-11:

Coatings for Africa

Powder Coating Forum

Drakensberg, South Africa

Cleveland, OH

www.coatingsforafrica.org.za

www.pcimag.com/pcforum

September 3-5:

September 14-16:

Composites World Expo

Southern Metal Finishing

Schaumburg, IL

Charleston, SC

www.compositesworldexpo.com

surfacefinishingacademy.com

October 14-16: FutureCoat! 2008 Chicago, IL [email protected]

Have an upcoming event? Tell us about it at www.finishingtalk.com!

Page 3

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7

NEWS & NOTES Washington DC On July 1, 2008, the EPA published the final regulation for plating and polishing area sources in the Federal Register (73 Fed. Reg. 37728). The final rule, 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart WWWWWW, is effective immediately for new affected sources (i.e., those that begin operations on or after July 1, 2008). Existing plating and polishing operations must comply with the new regulatory requirements by July 1, 2010. The Clean Air Act mandates that the EPA must promulgate standards to control the emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from small or area sources. The plating and polishing processes that are subject to the plating and polishing area source rule are those “processes performed at an affected plating and polishing facility that uses or has the potential to emit” any compound of any of the following metal HAPs: cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel. This includes electrolytic and non-electrolytic plating and coating processes (e.g., electroplating, conversion coating, sealing, and phosphating), electroforming, dry mechanical polishing, and thermal spray at approximately 2,900 existing plating and polishing facilities. A copy of the final rule is available on the NASF website at www.nasf.org. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Christian Richter of Jeff Hannapel: [email protected] [email protected]. Worcester, MA The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. introduces a new capability of utilizing liquid helium for cryogenic

treatment of materials to temperatures as low as 4K /-268C/-451F. The procedure involves the utilization of a specially modified cryogenic chamber that was designed and constructed in collaboration with technology partner Applied Cryogenics Inc. According to Robin Rhodes, President of Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., the capability grew from the needs of its aerospace customers who sought extreme temperature cycling for residual stress relief of critical components. While the majority of applications have been related to aerospace, the firm has also offered the capability to researchers and other industries, including electronics. Cost for the treatment varies, depending on ramp and soak times, but Rhodes estimates that his firm can offer a near absolute zero treatment cycle (to 4K) for less than 30% of the cost of similar processing as offered through governmental and other research organizations. To learn more visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com. Worldwide Henkel Corp. has introduced an energy-saving, lowtemperature cleaner, Bonderite Ridoline RT-153, designed to be compatible with both phosphate and phosphate-free conversion coating technologies. Formulated for use with phosphate-free nanotechnologies such as Bonderite NT-1 and Bonderite TecTali, the new cleaner can also be used on zinc, iron and magnesium phosphate metal pre-treatment processes. Water-based and solventfree, it is sprayed onto aluminum, hot-dip galvanized steel or electrogalvanized steel surfaces at room

temperature, reducing energy requirements during the pretreatment process. Worldwide Dow and Rohm and Haas have announced a definitive agreement, under which Dow will acquire all outstanding shares of Rohm and Haas common stock for $78 per share in cash. The acquisition of Rohm and Haas will make Dow the world’s leading specialty chemicals and advanced materials company. The transaction marks a decisive move in Dow’s transformation into an earnings growth company with reduced cyclicality. Last December, Dow announced a joint venture with Petrochemical Industries Company of the State of Kuwait (PIC). With the collective impact of these two deals, performance products and advanced materials will represent 69 percent of Dow’s total sales, on a 2007 pro forma basis, compared with 51 percent. Cincinnati, OH The Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI)honored members for service and dedication and installed its 2008 – 2009 Officers and National Board members during their 2008 Annual Meeting held in Clearwater Beach, FL in late June. In addition to awards for Chapter User and Supplier of the Year, this was the first year that two Lifetime Achievement Awards were issued at one time (those going to George Bryant of Briggs & Stratton and Larry Melgary of Northern Coating & Chemicals). CCAI is a non-profit technical and professional association that provides information and education on surface coating technologies worldwide. Visit CCAI on the web at www.ccaiweb.com.

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FINISHING TALK

WHY FILTER YOUR PLATING SOLUTION? CONT FROM PG 1...

you no longer have to filter your plating solution. The reaction I see is “Why does this speaker tell us we no longer have to filter our plating solutions?” It is simple – No dirt (solids) in, no dirt out.

particle retention and flow rates to assure the solution was free of solids.

Another time, a special part to be plated had to be done in a solids free solution. So an instrument which monitors solids was purchased to signal when the part could enter the tank. Of course, the instrument didn’t assure the plater that during the time of deposition the solution stayed free of solids from the air (or anodes, or migrated filter media). I feel that the money spent on the instrument should have been used on a filter and

Case for Coarse Filtration at High Turnover Rates (PF 1964).

Many years ago, I authored an article which Products Finishing editor emeritus, Ezra Blount, typed as I dictated, entitled The

It was based on the Hydraulic Handbook, which states that at 14 turnovers per hour, all of the solution would have passed over the filter at least once. It didn’t recognize dead areas in a tank of plating solution. It also depended on no additional solids from entering the plating tank while deposition was taking place, (which condition would occur when plating

sulfate nickel for record masters in what looked like a simple waffle iron.) This is an example of being able to prevent solids from entering the chamber if filtration was done at 100% of flow rate, and the filter media was chosen to be non-migrating and at a level of particle retention to match the desired result. This brings us to explain the difference between nominal filter media, which stops certain size solids according to its density which could offer 85 – 95% assurance that no particles larger than the rated media would retain, and absolute rating indicating a 100% of certain size particles were stopped. The use of any filter media does not assure

Page 5

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7 that the presence of different size particles aren’t in the plating solution, but when media and flow rate (turnover) are put together, than a predictable degree of clarity can be accomplished. The plating of memory drums for electronic applications sometimes employs 40 – 50 turnovers per hour at .1 micron absolute particle retention from non-migrating membrane media. Compare the above to 1-2 turnovers per hour at even 5 micron retention from a media which migrates, and you see why your plating may sometimes have rough areas of deposit. Frankly, I have always favored some type of cartridge which, after a first flush, is no longer allowing fibers to migrate. I also favor cartridges because they are available for use on slimy alkaline solutions with coarse windings. (Platers of alkaline zinc used them because their cleaning was inadequate and the coarse filter held more solids – sometimes 6-8 wks. between services.) Other solutions which crystallize, such as acid zinc or nickel, would usually use 5 to 15 micron, but even certain nickel applications may find that a 50 micron at high turnover rates will provide good results. Now, what about ‘no filter on the plating tank’ - why not? Because the filter media needs neutralizing of the plating solution, all steps should be taken to minimize the amount of media

and solids to be disposed of. Previous articles have emphasized the choice to “Work Backwards.” This reduces the solids, which may reach the plating solution. Therefore, the final rinse before plating is a good opportunity to stop particulates, which from surface tension have traveled from the cleaner to the etch and finally arriving at the plating station. Attention to prevention could eliminate 80-90% of such solids, and when a separate chamber containing granular carbon is used to recirculate on the etchant and pre-rinse, another problem is avoided. This leaves the organic breakdown products as the only other need for carbon on the plating solution. This in turn can be reduced by switching from air for agitation to pumps with eductors to create the necessary movement of the ions for faster plating without causing breakdown of the brightener chemical. One recent report indicated that a plater could plate up to 33% faster at higher amps without burning. It made it possible for his company to bring in more parts from his customer without the need to increase his need for another automatic machine. A further benefit of controlling the amount of solids in the plating rank and the level of organic impurities is that captured plating solutions dripping from parts in a 'dry sump' may be added back to the plating tank without the fear that you are building up the level of organic impurities.

With the use of filters, coalescers, and carbon on solutions from the soak to the plating tank, the plater may expect to have eliminated up to 90% of solids from entering the plating solution. This could make it possible for his plating filter to last ten times longer between servicing. Did we completely eliminate the filter on the plating solution? No, but with the steps of prevention in place, we have greatly reduced the need. You now have a system of filtration and separate purification in place which will pay dividends from less solution contamination, less solids to hazardous waste, less labor for servicing and, as we’ve said before, “unattended filtration” and purification, from day-to-day and month-to-month. Talk to your chemical supplier; he knows the value of getting rid of solid or organic contamination, as it applies to service requirements. Talk to your customer as well; he knows the value of more uniform deposits with improved ductility. And finally, talk to your production staff; they know the value of less rejects.

Article reprinted, courtesy of: Jack H. Berg President SERFILCO, Ltd. 2900 MacArthur Dr. Northbrook, IL 60062 Ph: 847-509-2900 Fax: 847-559-1995 [email protected] www.serfilco.com

Page 6

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FROM THE FORUM: PLATING NICKEL OVER NICKEL Posted on October 11, 2006 Our August installment of From the Forum is a discussion between members William S, Captain Tripz, Dedalus, Labrat, Skelton, and DustinGebhardt on the topic of nickel plating over an item that has already been nickel plated. Feel free to add your thoughts to their ongoing discussion by visiting the forums at www.finishingtalk.com/community and choosing the “Decorative Plating” forum. For more ‘From the Forum’ discussions, check out our internet television show, Finishing Talk Live, where hosts Paul Fisher and Paul Skelton bring the boards to life! www.finishingtalklive.com

William S I am looking for a process that you can plate bright nickel over bright nickel, without peeling problems. Any help would be great. Thanks. Captain Tripz You could use a cyanide activator. Same principle as when dummying a bright nickel tank with previously used dummies. Activate with cyanide activator to keep chunks from sloughing off the dummies into the solution. Just make sure you are equipped to deal with the cyanide waste treatment. Dedalus From a waste treatment perspective, nickel cyanide is one of the hardest cyanide wastes to treat. Ni(CN)42- is just barely amenable to chlorination. To treat wastes like this, I'd have to maintain a chlorine residual in the batch for

24 hours or more. I'm certainly no plater, but could a Woods strike be used instead? Labrat The most successful nickel reactivation process I have used is the cyanide activation process. Used cathodically, the make up is 8 opg Potassium Cyanide, 8 opg Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) and water to operating level. I normally reactivate for 5 minutes, cyanide copper flash (no rinse between), rinse well, then into bright nickel. I have heard of other methods that worked well that you may want to experiment with: cathodic activation in 30% hydrochloric acid; Woods nickel strike (Nickel Chloride, Hydrochloric Acid, water) for 1-2 minutes, very quick rinse, and into bright nickel. Skelton I can speak from experience that its part "how you hold your mouth" and the rest following process procedure. Plating over a passive nickel coating can be much compared to that of plating over stainless steel, which is a methodical process, but simple all in the same. You have one of two choices and can incorporate one into the other’s process if it makes sense for the other processes you are performing. 1) Degrease/Soak Cleaner 2) Electroclean (Direct (1 min.), Reverse (1 min.), Direct (10 sec.)), 20 asf 3) Rinse 4) Muriatice Acid (min. 50% v/v) or Acid Salt

Page 7

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7 DustinGebhardt (1 1/2 lb. per gal.), 1 - 2 min.

I'll second what Paul has already written. In

5) No rinse. Woods Nickel Strike, 1 min. no

my

current, 1 - 2 min. strike @ 10 - 20 asf.*

through the acid (cathodically) can also help

6) Rinse. 7) Bright Nickel Plate.

personal

experience,

passing

current

remove the stubborn nickel oxides on the surface of the part. Also, an acid salt with some fluoride included tends to give me better re-

*After a good acid salt, an activated part can

sults. As the piece gets older, it becomes more

go into a Nickel Plating process. However, the

difficult to reactivate, generally. Also, try to

Woods Nickel Strike offers somewhat of an insurance package and you can test this by doing an adhesion test after the Woods Nickel Strike (although, I have seen the process work without the strike). Contact your local chemistry supplier for details regarding a good acid salt. I am only attesting to experience and without reservation will say that it is not 100% successful. Good luck in your trials.

117 Westerly Hills Dr. Forest City, NC, 28043 Ph: (828) 245-1115 Fax: (828) 245-1216 Carolina Process Control provides the metal finishing industry with a single source solution for all their industrial waste water treatment system and component needs. We design, build and install turn-key waste treatment systems for pH neutralization, heavy metal removal, water recycling, zero discharge and other chemical processing applications.

www.carolinaprocesscontrol.com

Page 8

NEED HELP PLATING NICKEL OVER NICKEL (CONT…)

avoid long times with a reverse current electrocleaner, as this will tend to form oxides as

well. Paul's electrocleaning process of direct, reverse, direct should do well. In any case, I've never had this work 100% of the time. On new material, I was lucky to get 75%. 50% yield was more common. In the end, I stopped doing it. I wasn't fully comfortable with the thought of the parts failing in the field some time down the road.

Do you have something to add? Log on to the Finishing Talk forums today to join in on this discussion – or start a discussion of your own! www.finishingtalk.com/community

FINISHING TALK

Page 9

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7 FINISHING SPOTLIGHT:

T

his month, we have decided to shine the spotlight on a yearly conference that has been developing a pretty devoted following of metal finishers over the last 5 years. Held annually in the late summer/early fall in the iconic and historical town of Charleston, SC, the Southern Metal Finishing Conference is a must attend, particularly for plating and powder coating job shop owners, sales personnel, purchasing supervisors, plant/ line management and key operators in the South Eastern region of the U.S. Though the title suggests an atmosphere catered strictly to southern Platers, there are in fact exhibitors and attendees from all across the country.

SOUTHERN METAL FINISHING

The Conference prides itself on being a casual event, where attendees are free to mingle and meet with exhibitors on a one on one basis - and it is just the right size that this is actually possible! A combination of professional events and the ‘just for fun’ element provide a variety of entertaining and educational opportunities for everyone in attendance. Whether you choose to go for the great line up of workshops (including concentrations in Powder Coating, Electroplating, and Surface Cleaning, all taught by respected and experienced industry professionals) to exhibit, or to catch up with old friends and make new contacts, there is plenty to keep you interested.

Though the conference has been held consecutively in Charleston since its first year (2004), it has already been hosted in several different venues. The first annual Southern Metal Finishing Conference was held at the Doubletree Guest Suites, centered in Charleston’ historic district. The subsequent three years were held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, a renovated historic landmark (it was once the original Citadel Military College). This year, keeping with it’s theme of historically significant conference locations, Southern Metal Finishing’s host hotel will be the Francis Marion, which was named for General Francis Marion (the “Swamp Fox”) of the American RevoluContinued on next page...

Page 10

tion. It was also the largest and grandest hotel in the Carolinas when it opened in 1924 (and it’s still pretty grand today!). Playing on the “Swamp Fox” theme, the conference holds an annual “Swamp Fox Scramble” golf tournament as part of its yearly line up of conference events. This tournament is held at the Patriot’s Point Links golf course, which overlooks Charleston Harbor. Patriot’s Point is yet another historical attraction in this endlessly intriguing city. Home to a Naval & Maritime Museum, you can find four decommissioned ships dating back to World War II, in addition to a nuclear merchant vessel and a variety of other fascinating exhibits. The best part is it’s on the way to the

FINISHING TALK golf course, so you could choose to make a pretty exceptional day for yourself if you so desired. Another event that is very unique to the conference is the annual Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt. This year will mark the 3rd pub crawl, spreading teams throughout downtown Charleston in search of various objects and answers to local history based questions, while stopping for drinks along the way. It has become one of the most anticipated social events of the conference, and continues to gain participants every year. The Surface Finishing Academy is also proud to present their keynote speaker for the Monday afternoon luncheon, Mr.

John Flatley, Executive Director of the NASF and Managing Principal of Association Management Strategies (AMS), a full-service association management company located in Washington, DC. He will be speaking on priority issues impacting the metal finishing industry and the role the NASF is taking to address them. He will also discuss the value and advantages that belonging to a trade association can provide for individual finishers. Be sure to check out this gem of the south east if you have the chance. Registration is currently open on their website: surfacefinishingacademy.com. You will find all the info you need about conference events, costs, hotel arrangements and more. See you in September!

CONFERENCE ITINERARY Sunday, September 14, 2008 8:30am: Annual Swamp Fox Scramble Golf Tournament at Patriot's Point Registration 9:30am: Golf Tournament Tee Time 6:00pm: Optional early set up for exhibitors in Exhibit Hall 7:00pm: Opening Reception (a ‘meet and greet' cocktail hour) in the Exhibit Hall. 8:00pm: Finishing Talk Live filming during Opening Reception Monday, September 15, 2008 6:30am: Exhibit Set up 7:30am: Registration and Exhibit Hall open 8:00am: Classes Begin 12:00pm: Keynote Luncheon - featuring speaker John Flatley 1:30pm: Classes Resume 5:00pm: Classes End 6:00pm: Exhibit Hall Closes - exhibit dismantling 6:30pm: Pub Crawl Registration 7:00pm: Pub Crawl Starts 10:00pm: Pub Crawl Culminates at the Rooftop Bar Tuesday, September 16, 2008 7:00am: Registration

The 2008 SMF Conference will be held at the Francis Marion

8:00am: Classes Begin

Hotel in downtown Charleston.

12:00pm: Awards Ceremony and Luncheon

Our discounted room rate is

(open to all registered attendees)

only valid until August 14!!!

1:30pm: Classes Resume 5:00pm: Classes end (may vary by class)

(visit our website for details)

FINISHING TALK Southern Metal Finishing Conference - September 14-16, 2008

Page 13

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7 ANOPLATE HAS THE ‘SCOOP’ ON MARS Syracuse, NY

W

hen NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander started sampling the surface of Mars in early June, the first thing to contact the icy soil was a protective coating provided by Anoplate Corporation of Syracuse, NY. The aluminum sampling scoop, referred to as the ISAD (icy soil acquisition device), at the end of the Phoenix Mars Lander’s robotic arm incorporated Anoplate’s hardcoat anodize to maximize abrasion resistance and prevent soil samples from becoming contaminated from the otherwise bare, unprotected aluminum. The robotic arm used the ISAD to dig a trench deep enough to access layers of potentially water-ice bearing soil. This icy soil was obtained using a high speed rasp device housed within the ISAD scoop. The soil was then transferred to the Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer instrument onboard the spacecraft for chemical analysis. When Honeybee Robotics of New York, NY, approached Anoplate about anodizing a one-of-a-kind robot component late in 2006, Anoplate engineers had little idea where their discussions would lead. The initial inquiry included an exotic assortment of finishes and colors that while pretty were not realistic. After consulting with Anoplate engineers, a workable solution was arrived at featuring extensive use of Anoplate’s hardcoat anodize. This type of anodize electrochemically coverts aluminum surfaces into a ceramic-hard, aluminum oxide. Similar hardcoat anodize coatings are used on rollers in copying machines, automotive pistons, aircraft landing gear, and aluminum pots and pans. Since 1960 Anoplate Corporation has provided surface engineering solutions to industrial manufacturers worldwide to overcome the rigors of corrosion, friction and wear. As an ISO 9001/14001 registered and Nadcap accredited firm, Anoplate is committed to serving its customers, employees and community with quality electroplating and anodizing services performed in an environmentally responsible manner. Contact Anoplate for engineered solutions to your product’s surface requirements in the medical, defense, aerospace, computer, electronics or mass transit industry.

This image, released by NASA June 6, 2008, was taken by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Surface Stereo Imager on Sol 11 (June 5, 2008), the eleventh day after landing. It shows the Robotic Arm scoop containing a soil sample poised over the partially open door of the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer's number four cell, or oven. Lightcolored clods of material visible toward the scoop's lower edge may be part of the crusted surface material seen previously near the foot of the lander. Photo credit:

NASA/JPL-Caltech/University Texas A&M

of

Arizona/

Contact: Milton Stevenson Jr. Chief Technology Officer Anoplate Corporation 459 Pulaski Street / Syracuse, NY 13204 Phone: 315.471.6143 / Fax 315.474.1091 http://www.anoplate.com.

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FINISHING TALK

Charleston, SC…….September 15-16 5-6 San Diego, CA………. November 5-6

Page 15

THE LAST WORD SEATTLE’S SPACE NEEDLE & A CENTURY OF STANDARDS

I recently participated in a week long leadership training program in Seattle, Washington – home of rainy days, a gargantuan volcano named (appropriately enough) Mt. Rainier, and of course, that world famous architectural novelty, the Space Needle. I had very little time to go sightseeing during my trip; nevertheless, I did have the opportunity to see the structure I’ve come to know only at a distance through shows like Frasier and the Austin Powers movies. I know it’s a bit cliché – I guess the inner tourist in me just couldn’t be mollified until I took the 60 story elevator ride up to the observation deck. After my trip, I decided to do a bit of research into the design and construction of the structure, and I found quite a bit of fascinating information about the tower. It turns out that it was built to be a focal point at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, and the final elevator car was installed only a day before the grand opening. During the Fair (which ran from April 21 to October 21) 20,000 people per day traveled up to the observation deck. And if safety was ever a concern to those early visitors, they would probably be relieved to know that the structure was built to withstand Category 5 hurricane-force winds (around 200 mph), and earthquakes up to a 9.5 magnitude. It also has 25 lightning rods, for those of you who are scared of death by lightning (which is pretty rare, actually; statistics say that in the U.S. there is only a 1 out of 700,000 chance of being struck by lightning in a given year. To put that in perspective, you are more likely to be legally executed (1 in

BY ANNA LEVITSKY

60,000) than be hit by a lightning bolt). While I was educating myself on the fascinating history of the Space Needle, I came across a reference to a very familiar organization. The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) mentions in its 1998 publication A Century of Progress, the impact that its structural steel specifications had on “some of the most prestigious and demanding construction projects of the postwar era” – including the legendary Space Needle. An excerpt from the section entitled ASTM in the Postwar Economy, reads:

parent and caretaker of over 12,000 standards. It was originally formed in 1898 by a group of scientists and engineers seeking to standardize the steel used in rail road track fabrication – apparently there were a lot of rail breaks in those days. As time went on, it developed the Committee A01 which oversees standards for Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and has a membership of 800 industry professionals and experts. Today, ASTM standards cover both ferrous and nonferrous metals, including steel, copper, aluminum and many others.

“Seattle’s Space Needle, a soaring 600-foot steel tower that was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, featured three sets of tapered steel legs made according to Standard A 36. The standard described a new type of hardened carbon steel that could handle extreme design stresses. An ASTM publication reported that the Space Needle had “less than 3-inch maximum sway at the top; it is designed for heavy seismic loads and wind gusts. The greater strength of A 36 steel permitted higher design stresses, welded fabrication, and cost savings.”

The organization is also active in the standardization of metal finishes. In fact, it is a focus of the ASTM Committee A05 on MetallicCoated Iron and Steel Products. Over the past hundred years, the committee has developed “over 70 specifications and test methods that help protect iron and steel products against corrosion by the use of metallic coatings, as well non-metallic coatings” (ASTM

I wonder if the Space Needle would have been there for me to visit if the standards for the hardened carbon steel had not been in place? What else has been standardized by the ASTM? Presently, the ASTM develops standards for many industries, including the metals industry, with which it has a long history. It turns out that the ASTM is the oldest and most dominant standard organization in the United States, and to date is the proud

& the Metals Industry: Partners in Long Term Success).

Over the years, I come to see more and more just how interconnected everything is in this world. Odd how a trip to the Space Needle can connect you to over a century of history—even though the structure itself is less than 50 years old.

PRST/STD US Postage Paid Rutherfordton, NC Permit # 154

PO Box 349 Rutherfordton, NC 28139

August 2008 Anna Levitsky, Editor Phone: 704-995-2263 [email protected]

www.FinishingTalk.com

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