KH Glossary

International unique identification number for chemical substances assigned by the CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service).

Forms of damage that can be incurred by surfaces coated with paint. Corresponding damage means the pigment and filler particles are exposed due to breakdown of the organic binder in the paint layer sections close to the surface. As a result, the pigment particles in these areas no longer adhere to the film. When a surface with chalking, cracking or scratching is wiped, you’ll notice something that looks like a layer of chalk.

A collection of chemical surface treatments whereby the reaction of chromic acid on metal surfaces produces a layer of complex chromic acid salts. The base material is partially dissolved in the process. As a result, the dissolved metal ions from the base material are incorporated into the chromate layer. Chromatising is primarily used on zinc and aluminium when used on an industrial scale.

Transparent paints that generally only contain binders and solvents (along with standard paint additives), meaning they don’t contain any fillers or opaque pigments. Any colouring is added by dyes or transparent pigments. Clear coats are often use as a coating material. As the top layer in a coating system, clear coats protect the underlying layers against mechanical damage and weathering effects.

Protective wet coating system with the lotus effect produced by Dortmund-based M2 Entwicklungs-, Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH. A combination of “clean” and “easy”, the name Cleasy perfectly encapsulates the main properties of the product. Similarly to the lotus effect, Cleasy causes water droplets that come into contact with the surface to form spherical beads and simply roll off. This prevents moisture and dust from accumulating. Surfaces finished with Cleasy are easy to clean and keep clean. Cleasy refines finished surfaces with a number of special properties: high-gloss effect, quick drying, anti-icing, dirt- and insect-repellent, fire-proof. See Cleasy technology.

Liquid or powdery coating material that is thinly applied to objects and built up in layers to form a continuous, solid film through chemical or physical processes (e.g. solvent evaporation). Coatings typically contain binders, fillers, pigments, solvents, resins and/or acrylates and additives, such as biocides (in-can preservatives).

Coatings fulfil three main functions:

• Protection (protective effect, e.g. protective paints or varnishes),
• Decorative (visual effect, e.g. achieving a certain colour) and
• Functional (special surface properties, e.g. altered electrical conductivity).

Process used to coat coils. The metal strips are cleaned, pre-treated and coated directly after production in the rolling process. Once the coating has dried, the metal strips up to 2 m in width are rolled into coils. The coated sheets are used in the manufacture of everyday products like household appliances without subsequent coating. Coil coatings need to be highly elastic to withstand the deformations incurred without sustaining any damage.

Oval surface structure.

Derived from the Latin corrodere, meaning to decompose, eat away, gnaw. From a technical standpoint, corrosion refers to the reaction of a material with its environment resulting in measurable change to the material and the potential impairment of the function of a component or system. Chemical corrosion occurs in metals. The most commonly known type of corrosion is rust, namely the oxidation of iron.

Chemical component that temporarily or permanently protects materials against corrosion. Common corrosion inhibitors include oils, paints (plastic coatings), chemicals or coatings made of metals or metal oxides. They can be permanently applied to prevent or delay corrosion when an object is used, increasing its service life as a result.

Measures taken to avoid damage that may result from corrosion on metallic components. As it isn’t possible to achieve full corrosion resistance, the protective measures are designed to reduce the spread of the corrosive attack enough to avoid damage to the component during its service life.

Cratering is usually caused by the use of unsuitable thinners, or air or water trapped in the paint film. Another form of cratering can also be attributed to silicone contamination of the surface to be painted.

The cross-cut test is a very quick and easy way to test the adhesion of single and multi-layer coatings. During the test, cuts are made either at a 30° angle (method A) or right angle (method B) to each other, creating a cross or X. The test is pass or fail. When applied to multi-layer systems, the test can be used to determine the adhesion of individual coatings to each other.

Reaction between binders and hardeners that results in the formation of 3D insoluble polymer cross-linking from the dissolved or dispersed polymers. Cross-linking can be accelerated by catalysts, heat or high-energy radiation.