Metallic materials feature an excellent forming behaviour and varying
technological properties. The purpose of organic coatings is to protec
t them against environmental effects, to improve the surface appearanc
e, and to increase their useability through functional properties. The
environmental protection legislation makes, however, increasingly exa
cting demands on the operators of coating plants. The coil coating pro
cess combines to a great extent environmental compatibility and econom
ic efficiency. The metal surface is cleaned, chemically pretreated and
coated by roller coating application of liquid, organic coating mater
ials and subsequent heat drying or cross-linking, or by plastic foil l
amination, in a single pass. Automated and computer-aided control syst
ems make it possible to achieve a consistently high quality level by m
eeting close tolerances. As colour is an essential surface feature, pa
rticular attention is paid to its determination and evaluation possibi
lity. The great number of colours and degrees of brightness as well as
of smooth or structured surfaces and the various metallic base materi
als ensure a wide range of application possibilities. Due to its good
long-term corrosion-protective performance, this composite material ha
s been successfully used for many years for outer building application
s. Special coating systems enable its use in the manufacture of white
goods. in the phono industry, etc. New material combinations are desig
ned to take up the important part previously played by zinc-rich paint
coated, cold-rolled steel sheet for corrosion protection in the autom
otive industry. The high environmental compatibility continues to be c
onsistently further developed in terms both of coating technology and
of coating materials.