Demand for high performance coatings soars
Posted on Mar 13, 2025Businesses in multiple industries – including oil and gas, wind energy and defence – are switching to high performance coatings to boost their sustainability credentials, a metal finishing expert has revealed.
Steve Norman, Group UK Divisional Director at Anochrome Group, said Anochrome Technologies has seen a renewed interest in advanced coating techniques and, in particular, thermal diffusion coating.
Thermal diffusion is an advanced solution that offers superior protection, extending the lifespan of metal parts and enhancing performance.
The process diffuses zinc into steel at elevated temperatures, forming a robust anti-corrosive alloy layer on the metal’s surface. This method, also known as thermal diffusion galvanizing, utilises a zinc alloy powder to create a protective coating for ferrous-based parts.
The result is a hard, non-magnetic coating that provides exceptional resistance to corrosion, oxidation and abrasion, outperforming traditional protection methods.
Steve said: “In industries where metal components face harsh environments, safeguarding against corrosion and wear is paramount.
“If parts last longer, that ultimately leads to a more sustainable product – and that is a core consideration for decision makers across most sectors. It also, of course, reduces maintenance costs and helps to ensure optimum performance.
“We have definitely seen a noticeable uptick in thermal diffusion enquiries from right across Europe. This specialised coating is extremely difficult to come by, so we would expect demand to continue to increase.”
Anochrome Technologies can offer thermal diffusion coating with a range of PFAS free zinc flake topcoats that enhance the application and lifecycle performance, while ensuring compliance with evolving sustainability regulations, and evolving coating standards such as ISO 12944.
Thermal diffusion coatings have demonstrated over 1,000 hours of salt spray protection, significantly outperforming traditional hot-dip galvanizing. This can be significantly increased by a topcoat application of zinc flake technology.
The coating also provides excellent abrasion resistance and prevents seizing, even on stainless steel components.
Thermal diffusion coating is free from heavy metals and complies with REACH regulations, making it safer for both users and the environment.
Steve added: “Thermal diffusion can be used in C5 environments with very high corrosivity, which are typically industrial areas with high humidity and aggressive atmospheres, as well as coastal regions with high salinity.
“It can also be an option in CX environments with extreme corrosive environments, particularly offshore areas and with structures exposed to extreme humidity, aggressive atmospheres and tropical conditions.”
Thermal diffusion can be used to enhance fasteners, couplings, bolts, components and critical hardware across the rail, wind energy, solar, aerospace, marine, construction and energy sectors.