The new PFAS-free PLUS® topcoats from NOF Metal Coatings meet the global OEM requirements and specifications.
Poly-(or per-)fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are widely used in different industrial sectors, but are now coming under increasing scrutiny due to their long-lasting presence in the environment. A possible European ban on PFAS based on REACH might come into force as early as 2027 for specific industrial segments.
Regardless of potential restrictions imposed by environmental authorities on PTFE, NOF Metal Coatings Group took this new regulation as an opportunity to develop a new PFAS-free topcoat range generation with worldwide availability.
The ambitious objectives of these developments were to be able to offer customers a new range of more environmentally friendly products, while guaranteeing the same tribological performance as the current PLUS® topcoat range.
The new PFAS-free PLUS® topcoats from NOF Metal Coatings
Applied on top of the GEOMET® waterborne zinc flake basecoats, the new PFAS-free topcoats PLUS XL 2 Silver, PLUS VLh 2 Silver and PLUS ML 2 Silver meet or exceed the global OEM requirements and specifications while providing outstanding tribological properties, including multi-tightening and high-speed tightening, compatibility with various mating substrates (e-coat, aluminium, zinc and steel), stick slip avoidance and behaviour in loosening tests (including at high temperature – PLUS VLh 2 Silver and PLUS ML 2 Silver).
In addition, the company enhanced the aesthetics of the products in this new range by adding aluminium pigments, obtaining a uniform silver colour that will improve the visual appearance of assemblies where fasteners are visible. Moreover, all three new PFAS-free topcoats will include fluorescent pigments for ease of positive identification.
In the meantime, the experts from NOF Metal Coatings Group are continuously working in the research and development facilities and laboratories of the companies, in order to improve PFAS-free coatings and the GEOBLACK® systems with the addition of black topcoats.