Nylon 11, also known as polyamide 11, is indeed a remarkable material, especially when used as a coating.

1. Chemical Resistance: Nylon 11 boasts excellent chemical resistance against various substances, including oils, greases, fuels, and many chemicals. This property makes it ideal for applications where exposure to harsh chemicals is common, such as in industrial settings or automotive components. The ability of Nylon 11 to withstand chemical attacks enhances the durability and longevity of coated surfaces, reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of coated products.
2. Corrosion Protection: As a coating, Nylon 11 provides effective corrosion protection to underlying materials, particularly metals like steel and aluminum. It forms a barrier that shields the substrate from environmental factors such as moisture, saltwater, acids, and alkalis, which are known contributors to corrosion. By preventing direct contact between the substrate and corrosive agents, Nylon 11 coatings help maintain the integrity and appearance of coated surfaces, even in harsh conditions.
3. Abrasion Resistance: Nylon 11 exhibits high abrasion resistance, making it suitable for applications where coated surfaces may experience friction, wear, or mechanical impact. This property is especially valuable in industries like manufacturing, where equipment and machinery endure constant use and abrasion. The abrasion resistance of Nylon 11 coatings helps protect surfaces from scratches, scuffs, and abrasion-induced damage, preserving their aesthetics and functionality over time.
4. Flexibility and Impact Resistance: Unlike some rigid coatings, Nylon 11 offers flexibility and impact resistance, allowing it to conform to irregular shapes and withstand moderate impacts without cracking or chipping. This flexibility makes Nylon 11 coatings versatile and adaptable to various substrates and applications, including complex geometries and parts with dynamic movement. The impact resistance further enhances the durability of coated surfaces, reducing the risk of damage due to accidental impacts or mechanical stresses.
5. Thermal Stability: Nylon 11 exhibits good thermal stability, with a melting point typically above 190°C (374°F). This property makes it suitable for applications where coatings must withstand elevated temperatures without degrading or losing their protective properties. Whether exposed to heat during processing or operating in high-temperature environments, Nylon 11 coatings maintain their integrity and performance, ensuring reliable protection for coated substrates.
6. Electrical Insulation: Another advantage of Nylon 11 is its electrical insulation properties. As a coating, it can provide insulation against electrical currents, preventing short circuits or electrical hazards in components and equipment. This property is valuable in applications where electrical conductivity must be avoided or controlled, such as in electronics, electrical enclosures, and power transmission systems. Nylon 11 coatings help maintain electrical safety and functionality in such environments.
7. UV Resistance: Nylon 11 exhibits good resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, making it suitable for outdoor applications where coatings are exposed to sunlight. UV-resistant coatings are essential for preventing degradation, discoloration, and loss of mechanical properties caused by prolonged UV exposure. By resisting UV radiation, Nylon 11 coatings retain their performance and appearance over time, making them durable options for outdoor equipment, structures, and surfaces.
8. Environmental Sustainability: Nylon 11 is derived from renewable sources, primarily castor oil, which makes it a more environmentally friendly coating option compared to some petroleum-based alternatives. Its biobased origin contributes to reduced reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon footprint, aligning with sustainable practices and environmental regulations. Additionally, Nylon 11 coatings can be recycled, further enhancing their eco-friendliness and circularity in material usage.
9. Adhesion and Coating Uniformity: Nylon 11 coatings exhibit strong adhesion to various substrates, ensuring proper bonding and uniform coverage. This adhesion is essential for creating durable, long-lasting coatings that resist delamination, peeling, or chipping over time. The ability of Nylon 11 to adhere well to substrates contributes to the overall performance and effectiveness of coated products, maintaining their protective and functional properties throughout their service life.
10. Ease of Application: Nylon 11 coatings can be applied using various methods, including electrostatic spray, fluidized bed, and dip coating, depending on the specific requirements of the application. This versatility in application methods makes Nylon 11 coatings accessible and practical for a wide range of industries and coating processes. Moreover, the curing process for Nylon 11 coatings is relatively straightforward, requiring standard curing temperatures and times for proper film formation and adhesion.

In conclusion, Nylon 11 stands out as a superior coating material due to its exceptional chemical resistance, corrosion protection, abrasion resistance, flexibility, impact resistance, thermal stability, electrical insulation, UV resistance, environmental sustainability, adhesion properties, and ease of application. These characteristics make Nylon 11 coatings a preferred choice for numerous industrial, commercial, and residential applications, offering reliable protection, durability, and performance in diverse operating conditions.

For more infomration, please feel free to contact us.

Nylon 11 is a polyamide and bioplastic member of the nylon family of polymers.  So what exactly does that mean?  Nylon 11 is produced using castor beans and the polymerization of 11-aminoundecanoic acid…hence the name Nylon 11.  In its usable form, it is a fine powder that can be applied by dipping in a fluidized bed, or spraying.  It is extremely durable and has an array of thermoplastic characteristics.

Nylon 11 is 100% bio-based.  This means that it is derived from living organisms, which gives it many potential uses.  It can withstand significant impact as well as being resistant to abrasion.  On top of being an overall “tough” coating,  it is also chemical and corrosion resistant.  It also performs well in extreme temperatures, from -40F to 266F.  Nylon 11 is also excellent in sea water applications.  Tests have shown that it prevents corrosion in sea water for up to 20 years.  It has a low coefficient of friction and is not subject to UV deterioration.  It can assist with BSR (buzz, squeak, rattle) and provides a nice glossy finish.

Due to the many benefits of Nylon 11, it is used in many industries, including:

• Automotive – clamps, brackets, connectors, brake lines, wire forms
• Medical – catheters, forceps, defib paddles
• Architectural – fences, railings, handles
• Agriculture – attachments, tools, hangers
• Marine – underwater pipes, impellors, housings
• Industrial – Wire forms, hangers, pulleys, rollers, fans

Because of its impact and abrasion resistance, its chemical defense as well as its hygienic properties Nylon 11 has many uses as a metal coating.  Latem Industries Limited has been applying Nylon 11 for well over 15 years with outstanding results.

Interested in more information on Nylon 11?  Contact Latem Industries Limited for any questions you may have.  We will be happy to assist. 

Nylons have been around since the early 1940's and were the first commercially successful synthetic thermoplastic polymers. Nylon falls under the category of polyamides which include both natural substances (silk) and synthetic materials (thermoplastics). Due to their characteristics, nylon is widely used in such fields as Aerospace, Automotive, Medical and many others. In 3D printing, nylon has become the most widely used material. As for the numbers that follow the abbreviation PA (which stands for Polyamide), it simply indicates the number of carbon atoms in the material.  Nylon powder coating is widely used to protect a variety of metal substrates such as steel and aluminum.  It is applied either electrostatically or in a fluid bed.  It protects a wide variety of applications from corrosion to impact and abrasion. 

What are PA11, Nylon PA12  made from?

Nylon PA11 is a fine bioplastic polyamide powder. The material is among the rare bio-based engineering plastics made out of renewable raw materials derived from vegetable oil, mainly castor oil. It is produced by Arkema, under the trade name Rilsan, from castor beans.

Unlike PA11, Nylon PA12 is a synthetic whitish fine powder derived mainly from petroleum sources. Nylon PA12 has many manufacturers which include Arkema and Evonik, whereas PA11 is only manufactured by Arkema.

What are the properties of PA11?

PA11 has properties quite similar to Nylon PA12. However, PA11 has a lower environmental impact, consumes less non-renewable resources to be produced, and has superior thermal resistance. Indeed, PA11 is stable to light, UV, and weather. It is also characterized by good elasticity, high elongation at break and high impact resistance. Moreover, it has an excellent resistance to chemicals, especially hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, fuels, detergents, oils, fats, mineral bases, and salts.

What about Nylon PA12?

Nylon PA12, on the other hand, is exceptionally strong even when temperatures dip below freezing. It is characterized by high strength, stiffness, strong resistance to cracking under stress, and an excellent long-term constant behavior. Furthermore, with a lower concentration of amides (nitrogen-containing organic compounds) than any other commercially available polyamide, Nylon PA12 absorbs very little moisture, has an excellent resistance to chemicals including hydraulic fluids, oil, fuels, grease, salt water, and solvents, dampens noise and vibration, and is highly processable.

What are their typical applications?

Nylon is the material of choice for the most demanding applications due largely to its unique combination of thermal, physical, chemical and mechanical properties.   The result is an outstanding cost to performance ratio.  Another unique quality of Nylon is that it meets autoclave requirements, making it ideal for the medical industry.

As mentioned earlier, it can be applied via electrostatic and fluid bed methods.  Latem uses both methods.  

When we apply our Nylon coating electrostatically we spray the part with a dry powder that is fluidized with air and then is post cured. Electrostatic Spray is generally applied at a thickness ranging from 1.5 – 15 mils (thousandths of an inch).  

The Fluid Bed Nylon coating is applied through a dip process where the part is preheated and dipped into a dry powder that is fluidized with air and then post cured. Fluid Bed vinyl is generally applied at a thickness ranging from 5 to 40 mils (thousandths of an inch). Typical coating application temperatures are usually in the range of 180°C to 250 °C (360 to 480 °F).

Nylon based powders are recommended for both interior and exterior applications.

To find out how we can help, please contact us.

Finishing is an essential step in preparing fabricated metal parts and components for assembly and/or sale. The quality of the finish, including the application of protective coatings, will have a monumental impact on the product’s ultimate performance and longevity.

In other words, you need a mass finishing and coating partner you can trust, without fail, every single time.

We are proud to offer key advantages that will not only improve the quality of your products but help you cut costs and streamline your production as well!

1. One-Stop-Shop For Mass Finishing & Mass Coating

Latem Industries offers a full range of mass finishing processes, including parts washing, ultrasonic cleaning, blasting, peening, vibratory finishing, tumbling and sanding. We have close to a dozen vibratory units, multiple barrel tumblers, blasting and peening machines, two drum washers and what is quite possibly the largest commercial ultrasonic cleaning set up in Ontario.

Through our sister company Plastico Industries, we can also offer you numerous mass coating solutions. All our coating processes, including spray nylon and dip nylon coatings, Plastisol coatings, and Polyarmor coatings, are engineered to meet demanding automotive, heavy equipment and military specifications.

2. Smooth Pick Up and Delivery

Our 45,000 sq. ft. mass finishing and coating facility is conveniently located just off Highway 401 in Cambridge, Ontario. You’ve probably spotted our big blue sign on your commute!

Because of this location, we are able to offer shipping at a very competitive rate from the Kitchener area to the Greater Toronto Area.

For help with your trucking needs, call our Logistics Department 519-740-0292 ext. 247.

3. Industry-Leading Staff Expertise

With an ever-changing workload, experienced staff is a must. We invest in our employees through continuous education and training to stay ahead of the curve on all our processes and equipment.

You can count on Latem for a consistent, time-efficient finishing process each and every time.
 

4. Flexibility On Process and Volume

You’ll benefit from our flexibility in both sides of our businesses! Plastico and Latem Industries run two shifts a day, and many of our employees are cross-trained on a vast array of equipment and processes. This flexibility enables us to offer finishing and coating services for small runs, one-offs and prototypes in addition to mass production.

5. High-Quality Assurance

We have achieved recognition as an ISO 9001:2015 certified metal coater and finisher, demonstrating our commitment to the high level of quality and consistency our customers expect. Our most recent ISO audit was conducted in 2019 by The Registrar Company, a trusted certification body accredited by the ANSI-ANQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

See the ISO 9001:2015 Certificate of Registration for Plastico Industries and Latem Industries Ltd.

6. Experience and Technical Capability

Latem and Plastico have been in business for a combined 50+ years, polishing our processes and rounding the burrs that have come up along the way. We have plenty of experience putting out every kind of ‘fire’ that can pop up in mass parts manufacturing: sharp edges, rust, oil...the works!

Whether you’re dealing with a common manufacturing flaw or a brand-new product, you can count on us to come up with an ingenious solution.

7. Rapid Processing Time

You’ve got deadlines to meet! Finishing and coating are just two parts of a much bigger picture, and we know you can’t afford any delay.

With our well-trained staff and ample equipment, we’re able to commit to speedy processing times. We’re heavily automotive-based, so we’re well-acquainted with tight turnaround and the need for urgency.

Let our scheduling department impress you with what we can do!

8. Location, Location, Location

Did we mention we’re just minutes off the 401 in Cambridge, Ontario? Latem set up shop here for a reason! Not only are we able to deliver impressive shipping rates throughout the Greater Toronto Area, but we’re located in the heart of Southern Ontario’s manufacturing centre.

Latem Industries is proud to be the premier metal finisher in Southern Ontario.

9. Transparent, Competitive Pricing

To put it simply, we wouldn’t have stayed in business this long if we weren’t competitive! From closely watching efficiencies to improving processes and cycle times, Latem Industries is committed to offering competitive rates that help keep your production costs in check.

10. Environmentally Aware

Did you know our nylon powder coating is derived from Castor bean oils? Our Aquence coating is also environmentally sustainable, containing no heavy metals and very few volatile organic compounds (VOCs.) We also have an extensive wastewater treatment system that’d make a small city jealous!

Plastico and Latem Industries are committed to sustainability and constantly improving our environmental awareness.

At Latem Industries, we can say with confidence that you can count on us for your coating and finishing needs. You don’t have to take it from us - ask any of the hundreds of North American manufacturers who partnered with us over the years!

Call us at 1-888-664-9998 or reach out online to learn more about our mass coating and mass finishing services in Southern Ontario.

BSR. This acronym can stand for many different things (over 50, in fact, according to Google.)

But in the automotive sector, it can mean only one thing: buzz, squeak and rattle. And 99% of the people who deal with BSR in this industry really wish they didn’t have to.

We happen to be among the 1% that don’t mind ‒ because we have the tools and expertise to eliminate BSR for good. Here, I’ll introduce you to three of the coating technologies we use to help automotive manufacturers eliminate buzz, squeak and rattle from their vehicles.

But first ‒ what exactly is BSR?

What Does ‘BSR’ Mean in the Automotive Industry?

Buzz, squeak and rattle (BSR) is a catch-all term for a variety of fiction-induced noises that can be produced by a vehicle. It’s one of the biggest challenges facing automotive engineers today, and the number 1 cause of consumer complaints about new vehicles.

Generally, BSR is the unintended outcome of two component surfaces coming into contact with one another:

• Squeak is caused by a stick-slip action when one part moves against another other.
• Buzz is caused by the structure or component itself as it vibrates against another surface.
• Rattle is caused by a collision between two components.

These noises might also be characterized by a consumer as squeals, creaks, clangs or bangs. At any rate, they’re the last thing any new vehicle owner wants to hear on their first long trip.

The automotive industry has long recognized the importance of vehicle noise when it comes to customer perception. Not only are speaks, buzzes and rattles annoying, they can have a hugely negative effect on how customers rate a vehicle’s quality and dependability. No one wants to save up for a brand-new car only to find that it starts rattling the second you take it down an unpaved road!

When you put it this way, I think you can see why 99% of the people who have this particular issue would much rather not. That’s why numerous articles, videos and blog posts have been made about BSR and how to solve it. In fact, in 2011, someone wrote an entire 296 book on this issue, covering such areas as background theory, testing, analysis and elimination with chapters from leading experts in the field!

Now, I might not have written the book on BSR, but I can tell you about three of the ways we can help you solve it here at Plastico.

3 Ways to Eliminate BSR Using Coatings

One of the go-to solutions for eliminating frictional noise is to apply a protective coating to at least one of the surfaces responsible.

Anti-BSR coatings save manufacturers a lot of time and trouble by avoiding the need to use secondary measures like felt spacers and lubricants post-production.  With the right application and the correct choice of coating, we can effectively eliminate BSR for the entire life of the vehicle.

Plastico Industries offers three coatings that are excellent in removing BSR: nylon, Plastisol and Polyarmor. Each product has its own unique properties and potential applications.

1. Plastisol Coating offers colour, comfort, electrical insulation, texture, gripping power, and resistance to acids, alkalis and oils. Plastico Industries is an industry leader in Plastisol dip coating for the automotive industry.
2. Polyarmor Coating offers a wide range of performance attributes including impact and corrosion resistance as well as UV protection. Plastico offers Polyarmor dip coating.
3. Nylon Powder Coating offers resistance to corrosion, abrasion and chemicals, with natural lubricity and noise-dampening qualities. At Plastico, we offer nylon dip and nylon spray options.

Suffering from BSR? Let us show your components a little TLC and help you allieviate this headache once and for all! Our coating machines are designed to accommodate a myriad of parts. We’re set up to handle small, medium and large parts as well as small, medium and large volumes.

Call us at 1-888-664-9998  or contact us online to learn more about all our coating services

Can your metal parts withstand the outdoor elements? What about harsh fluids or chemicals?

When the part specifications call for a tough exterior, nylon coating could be your answer.

…We know what you’re thinking. No, we don’t mean the nylons you wear on your legs — but rather the synthetic polymers used to produce durable powder coatings for all kinds of metal components.

But as you’ll see, we are talking about beans.

What are Nylon Coatings?

Nylon was a breakthrough in the area of the human-made polymers. Since it hit the commercial market back in the 1930’s, nylon has been well known for its applications in textiles — hence why stockings are so often called nylons.

But nylon is a highly versatile material with a whole world of applications beyond synthetic fabrics. Nylon can be melt-processed into all kinds of shapes or films, mixed with various additives, or processed into nylon powders and used to powder coat metals.

The most tried-and-true nylon powders are Nylon 11 and Nylon 12. These two materials are widely used to coat metal parts in just about every imaginable industry — automotive, textiles, medicine, sports and furniture, to name just a few.

Types of Nylon Coatings: Nylon 11 and Nylon 12  

At first glance, Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 look practically identical (at least in powder form.) But these unique coating materials have very different qualities.

The numerical labels — 11 and 12 — refer to the number of carbon atoms in the molecular building blocks of each material. These carbon atoms are what gives each type of nylon coating its respective qualities. To choose the right powder coat for your product, it’s important to know the difference between different nylon coatings.

Here’s what Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 have going on beneath the surface.

What is Nylon 11?

Nylon 11 is composed of high-strength macromolecules called polyamides. You don’t hear the term very often, but polyamides are all around us! Wool and silk are both polyamides, as are synthetic materials like Zytel and Kevlar.

Unlike other human-made polyamides, Nylon 11 is made from renewable raw materials — specifically, castor beans. This makes it a rare, bio-based engineering plastic derived almost entirely from biomass materials. How’s that for a low environmental impact?

Nylon 11 Applications

Chances are that you’ve come across this incredible material and not even known it.

In addition to powder coating, Nylon 11 is used to make shuttlecocks, brush bristles, filters, connectors, clips, racquet strings and even lingerie! Its unique qualities make it ideal for so many industries and applications.

As a powder coat, Nylon 11 is notable for its good elasticity, high elongation and high impact resistance. And that means what?

• High elongation at break means the part can be bent or shaped with little to no breakage to the coating.
• Elasticity means that if an outside force distorts the coating, the coating will revert back to its original shape once that force is removed.
• Impact resistance is how tough the coating is. Nylon 11 is tough.

On top of all this, Nylon 11 has superior thermal resistance, meaning it performs well in super-hot environments like the engine of your car.

Nylon 11 can be applied using electrostatic spray or dip coating in a fluid bed.

What is Nylon 12

Nylon 12 is a durable nylon polymer that stands apart from Nylon 11 in several important ways.

To start, Nylon 12 is not made from beans, but rather from petroleum sources. It is stiffer and denser than Nylon 11, with a slightly lower melting point.

Most importantly, Nylon 12 is exceptionally strong, with strong resistance to cracking even in sub-zero temperatures. It also boasts superior resistance to UV rays. All in all, Nylon 12 performs better than Nylon 11 in extreme climates and temperatures.

Nylon 12 Applications

Nylon 12 is the go-to material for packing materials and films in the food production, pharmaceutical and medical industries. Automotive manufacturers also use Nylon 12 to prepare oil and gasoline-resistant parts since it resists chemicals and absorbs little to no moisture.

You’ll also find Nylon 12 as a bulking and opacifying agent in cosmetic and personal care products. We weren’t kidding when we called nylon versatile!

As a powder coat, Nylon 12 is excellent when it comes to protecting parts from the widest range of chemicals. It effectively resists hydraulic fluids, oil, fuels, grease, saltwater and solvents. It’s also a top performer in conditions where the temperature dips below freezing.

Ask the Nylon Coating Experts

Still have questions about nylon coatings? At Plastico Industries, we work with Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 daily. Send us your question and we’ll have an expert contact you as soon as we can.

From a cost-per-part perspective, a nylon powder coating is typically costlier than traditional powder coatings. That hasn’t stopped nylon from becoming the material of choice for some of the most demanding metal coating applications, from crucial automotive parts to life-saving medical devices.

What makes nylon coatings stand out from traditional polyester coatings? To start, nylon delivers a standard of performance and durability that few materials can match. But it also sets itself apart as an environmentally-friendly choice that eases the burden of a manufacturer’s carbon emissions.

Here’s what makes nylon powder a leading metal coating option:

1. Nylon Coating is Renewable, Recyclable and Environmentally-Friendly

Nylon powder coating is derived primarily from vegetable oil extracted from castor beans. These so-called ‘beans’ are the seeds of the Ricinus or castor oil plant, which can be grown and harvested with little to no carbon impact. With nylon powder coating, you can reassure your customers that the part is coated with an environmentally-safe, low-impact material.

2. Nylon Coating is Extremely Durable

It may come from a plant, but nylon powder coating is tough as nails. It goes on thin at .004 to .030 thousandths of an inch and hardens into a resilient coat. With impressive thermal, physical and mechanical properties, nylon coating dependably protects metal parts from chemicals, corrosion, abrasions, oil and fluids, and high impacts.

3. Nylon Coating Meets Autoclave Requirements

Few materials can withstand the rigours of the autoclave. Nylon powder coating meets the standards of autoclaving requirements, making it the coating of choice for many important medical industry applications.

4. Nylon Coating is Quiet

Noise isn't always the first thought when it comes to choosing a powder coating solution, but more and more manufacturers are turning an ear to the impact of noise on workplace health and safety. Nylon has excellent sound-dampening properties, reducing noise and helping to eliminate buzzing, squealing and rattling.

5. Nylon Coating is Surprisingly Affordable

It’s true: nylon powder coating usually costs more upfront than traditional powder coatings. However, its superior performance and durability make nylon the more cost-effective choice in the long run. Few other coatings can match its outstanding cost-to-performance ratio.

Nylon Powder Coating in Ontario

Specializing in Nylon 11 and Nylon 12, Plastico Industries is known as one of the premier nylon powder coaters in Ontario.

Our facility is equipped to provide a nylon coating with either an electrostatic spray or a fluidized bed dip. When we apply our nylon coating electrostatically, we spray the part with a dry powder that is fluidized with air and then cured. Fluidized bed coating is applied through a dip process in which the part is preheated and dipped into a dry powder that is fluidized with air and then cured.

If you are considering a durable coating that is also environmentally-friendly, contact Plastico today to learn how our nylon coatings will exceed your expectations!

As of September 6, 2018, Plastico Industries is officially recognized for conforming with the ISO 9001:2015 standard in our industrial metal coating services.

For Plastico Industries (and our parent company Latem Industries), ISO 9001:2015 certification means:

• Plastico Industries’ top management demonstrates leadership and commitment to upholding a Quality Management System that meets ISO 9001:2015 standards.
• Our Quality Management System comprehensively addresses risks, opportunities, changes and quality objectives.
• We have plans and processes in place to meet our customers’ requirements for our services.
• All our employees have the training and resources they need to support our Quality Management System.
• The roles and responsibilities necessary to uphold this commitment have been assigned, communicated and understood.
• We continuously monitor, measure, analyze, and evaluate our Quality Management System with an aim to improve wherever we can.

We’d like to take a moment to explain what it means to be an ISO 9001:2015 certified industrial metal coater and why it matters to us and our customers.

What ISO 9001:2015 Certification Means

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. It is an independent, international organization that sets quality, safety and efficiency standards for products, services and systems.

Both the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are membership bodies of the ISO.

The purpose of the ISO’s universal standards is to encourage manufacturers (and other organizations) to consistently meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements, and to enhance customer satisfaction by effectively applying a quality management system.

So, what does it mean to be ISO 9001:2015 certified?

In short, it means the organization has a proven commitment to providing quality and consistency to its customers.

To an industrial metal coater like Plastico, ISO 9001:2015 certification means delivering quality coatings that hit the deadline and meet or surpass our customer’s expectations every time.

To our customers, it demonstrates that our promises are backed up by a universally-recognized quality management process. We put lots of time and effort into ensuring our work meets the ISO standards from beginning to end.

How Plastico Earned ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Although the International Organization for Standardization develops these standards, the task of auditing organizations for compliance falls to independent certification bodies.

Plastico Industries passed an audit by The Registrar Company (TRC). TRC issued Plastico’s Certificate of Registration for ISO 9001:2015 on September 6, 2018. TRC is a trusted certification body accredited by the ANSI-ANQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for over twenty years.

ISO 9001:2008 vs. ISO 9001:2015

If you’re already familiar with the previous standards set in 2008, you’ll find few changes in the ISO’s current criteria. What has changed is:

• New structure (expanding from 8 clauses to 10)
• Renewed focus on top-level accountability, involving the highest levels of management in implementing and maintaining ISO standards
• Emphasis on risk management throughout the organization, using the system as a preventative tool that encourages continuous improvements to process
• More flexibility for organizations like Plastico to develop ISO documentation in a format that meets our needs as a industrial metal coater
• Alignment with other key management system standards

Work with a Certified Metal Coater

Plastico Industries is proud to produce results that meet internationally-recognized quality standards. Start working with an ISO 9001:2015 certified industrial metal coater today.

Powder coatings protect metal parts from weather, corrosion, and whatever else you throw at it. Two of the most popular powder coating options are nylon and polyester coatings, each of which have broad applications in a variety of industries. These are a few of the main considerations when choosing between nylon coating vs. polyester plastic coating.

Heat Resistance

An important difference between nylon coating and polyester coating is how each material reacts to heat. Nylon is a thermoplastic, while polyester is a thermosetting plastic. While the two sound similar, the distinction is important if the part to be coated will be exposed extreme temperatures.

Thermosetting plastics start out as separate polymer compounds. When subjected to sufficiently high temperatures, these polymers react to form a strong chemical bond. This bond is irreversible, and the plastic coating will remain solid even under extreme heat. In other words, poly coating is a one-way street: once it hardens, it is not possible to reform or recycle it.

Thermoplastics like nylon coating are different. Although thermoplastic compounds also melt under high heat, there is no chemical reaction involved, so the process is reversible. You can re-melt and re-form nylon coating as many times as you require! It is even possible to recycle nylon and thermoplastic coatings.

To borrow a metaphor, where thermoplastics are akin to butter, thermosetting plastics are more like bread. A baker can repeatedly melt and cool the same stick of butter, but they cannot break a loaf of bread back down into its ingredients!

For this reason, poly coatings are more heat-resistant than nylon coatings, but nylon coatings have advantages in other high-performance applications.

Durability

Depending on the application, both polyester and nylon plastic coatings can protect the surface of metal parts from abrasions. Polyester coatings tend be flexible, with impressive impact and chemical resistance. However, this is an area where nylon coating wins out overall.

Once applied to a part, nylon coating flows out to form a continuous, protective bond to the surface. This creates a powerful, resilient barrier against salt, UV rays, and all manner of wear-and-tear. Nylon coating remains durable even in thin applications, making it ideal for tight tolerances. Arkema’s ® Nylon 11 coating, one of our products of choice at Plastico, is specially designed to give metal parts a longer shelf life.

A secondary advantage of nylon coating is its low friction coefficient. This gives it an ability to cut noise and vibrations from the parts it covers, contributing to a safer work environment and helping to prolong the life of the machinery.

Sustainability

Manufacturers are increasingly becoming mindful of their impact on the environment. For those who are looking to incorporate more sustainable practices, nylon offers a renewable and eco-friendly powder coating solution.

Nylon coating is derived from castor beans, the product of a perennial plant called the Ricinus or castor oil plant. In addition to being recyclable, nylon coating carries almost no carbon footprint! Choosing nylon coating signals to customers that you care about your impact.

Nylon vs. Polyester Coating

Your choice of powder coating will depend on the part’s application and the performance you desire from the coating. Here at Plastico, we are confident in the superior performance of nylon coating, but we are happy to recommend powder coaters who specialize in poly coating as well.

Learn more about our powder coating services in Cambridge, Ontario.

Nylon powder coatings are as diverse as the many industries that use them. One often-overlooked application is that of food production and processing. From the farm to the dinner table, powder coatings help to ensure our food is safe to consume.

Of course, not all coatings are suitable for this purpose. Food processing equipment and containers must meet certain standards to be considered food grade in Ontario.

Specialized food grade industrial coatings are often necessary for both the longevity of part and the safety of the food it touches. The right choice coating can make the equipment easier to clean and sanitize. However, it must also be non-toxic, non-absorbent, and free from defects (like cracks or crevices) that could harbour bacteria.

Which Industrial Coatings Are Considered Food Grade in Ontario?

In Canada, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) set policies and standards to ensure a safe food supply, including the safety of the equipment we use to process food and the materials we use to transport it. The American equivalent, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), oversees this area in the United States.

The choice of food grade powder coating for a part will depend on the manufacturing process. Parts that will be placed in an oven will have to withstand high temperatures; parts that will be submerged in liquid must have a high resistance to corrosion. Non-stick coatings with a low friction coefficient are often sought in the food processing industry as well.

The type of food ingredient in question may also play a role in the decision. For example, certain materials are more susceptible to corrosion on exposure to acidic foods like pickles or tomatoes.

The number of industrial coatings considered food grade in Ontario is too numerous to list. Below are some of the most common categories of food grade powder coatings in use:

• Polytetrafluoroethylene coating (PTFE): A thin, non-stick coating that stands up to high temperatures. It does not absorb liquid and has a low friction coefficient. Non-stick cookware and bakeware often use PTFE coating.

• Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP): This food grade coating option is flexible and highly resistant to chemicals but lacks the high-temperature resistance of PTFE. Like PTFE, it is non-absorbent.

• Antimicrobial coatings: A wide variety of food grade industrial coatings come with antimicrobial properties, which reduce the spread of bacteria and food-borne illnesses. Some contain an active ingredient that kills bacteria, while others resist them passively by preventing microbes from sticking to the surface of the part.

• Rislan Nylon 11: This durable and versatile polymer coating boasts a low friction coefficient that makes it easy to clean. The main ingredient is Castor beans, which makes Nylon 11 100% renewable and environmentally friendly.

Here at Plastico, we’ve used Nylon 11 to coat everything from fryer baskets to pot handles to cutlery, food trays, and even seafood traps. While it doesn’t taste quite as good as it looks, it does qualify as food grade!