The perfect cure: evidencing precise processes

2024-01-30T15:47:16+00:00

Applying surface treatments and coatings is only part of the process. We have to make sure it is durable and long-lasting to protect the equipment that drive businesses in demanding environments.

Specialist treatments and coatings need to be “cured” in a particular way to activate them and make sure they can withstand wear and tear, perform reliably all while retaining their durability and intended properties.

Step forward the oven cure time verification process.

We value accuracy: the temperature of the oven isn’t necessarily the exact temperature of what’s inside it. Different materials take different amounts of time to get up to temperature, retain heat and cool down.

So we use a dewpoint meter with an attached thermocouple to monitor and record the process, and log the data that evidences the treated part has been at a set temperature for a set period of time.

The meter with its digital display attaches to the outside of the oven and the thermocouple magnetises to the treated part inside.

From there we take regular readings, recording the actual conditions and temperature inside and outside the oven.

It can measure and record the following:

relative humidity
air temperature
surface temperature
dewpoint temperature
TΔ (the difference between surface temperature and dewpoint)

In the example pictured, the specification for the piece of equipment being treated with black Xylan 1425 was “bake at 425°F (218°C) ± 25°F (14°C) for 25 (±5) minutes after part(s) reach temperature. Air cool.”

In practice, we had to make sure the part’s temperature was between 204°C and 230°C for 20-30 minutes. And this was how we made sure – and recorded it as verification evidence for our customer’s records. All done by the book with a log and graph showing the temperature was held between 204°C and 230°C for 28 minutes.

For all you meterspotters out there, the exact meter is an Elcometer 319 top dewpoint meter with an attached thermocouple, both of which are externally calibrated by Scotia Instrumentation or Elcometer.

An added bonus is in our efficiency: not only does this verify the process, it cuts energy use and costs, as the treated part is only in oven for the exact prescribed timeframe.

Yes, it is the quality of our whole service that sets up apart.

If you want to find out more about how we prove that excellent service, get in touch at sales@nexusst.co.uk

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