Thermadep Coating Products in Franklin, TN

In the early days of water-based paints and coatings, maintaining a stable pH was a challenge. This sometimes led to bacterial growth and unpleasant odors. Today, that’s no longer an issue. Our Thermadep product lines remain pH-stable and free from bacteria, all without the use of ammonia.

Thermadep remains well-mixed and stable. It was developed by a metallurgist specifically for use directly after the heat-treating process, enabling the coating to form layers rather than sitting on the surface and blistering.

Misunderstandings about this process have led to the misconception that Thermadep doesn’t stay mixed easily. In reality, Thermadep products experience minimal settling - or soft settling - that can be quickly and easily remixed. Any material found at the bottom of the tank is typically steel dust from the wire used in the spring winding process.

As the Thermadep coating heats up, the belt also warms due to contact with the heated parts. Some buildup naturally occurs - this is expected with any coating - as a protective film forms, contributing to the product’s performance and durability.

The appearance of the coating depends on several factors, with the surface condition of the coated product being the most significant. Thermadep coatings typically apply at an average film thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 mils DFT. Because the film is thin, it closely follows the contours of the substrate. If the surface is rough, the coating will appear matte or non-glossy. Conversely, a smooth surface will result in a glossy finish.

The drying time for Thermadep coatings can vary slightly depending on the size or mass of the parts being coated, as well as the temperature used during the stress-relieving or heat-treating process. After coating, the parts move from the Thermadep tank via a pick-up conveyor to a drying conveyor. The duration on the drying conveyor is influenced by the factors mentioned above and typically ranges from just a few seconds to a few minutes.

Small parts and batches typically require less material in the quench tank - usually 20 gallons or less. In contrast, larger parts and higher-volume batches may need significantly more, sometimes 500 gallons or more. The quench tanks are filled using a ratio of one part Thermadep to three parts water.

Unopened Thermadep products remain stable and in good condition over time. Once in use, the material in the tank stays effective, as fresh product added during production helps maintain its quality. As mentioned earlier, there’s no need for pH adjustments or concerns about bacterial growth.

Several factors can influence overall cost, and it’s important to evaluate your current product flow. Take, for example, a metal spring: after winding and stress relief, it’s typically placed in a container, moved to a separate area for painting, handled again for coating, then transferred to a drying area before final processing or packaging. Each of these steps adds cost, and those expenses can add up quickly.

With Thermadep, you can streamline this process and reduce costs. Imagine the springs going directly into the Thermadep tank right after stress relief, then being unloaded at the end of the line, ready for final steps or packaging. In this scenario, the cost is approximately $0.08–$0.09 per square foot.