Tobias Werner, Operations Manager Büchel Industrie, Barchfeld

Investment in cathodic dip coating (CDC)

Since 2021, we have made efforts to set up our own cathodic dip coating facility for coating bicycle spokes at our Barchfeld site. Over the course of 2022, a concept was developed with a manufacturer of such systems, which resulted in an order for the system technology at the end of 2022.

This was completed in spring 2023 and could be inspected at the manufacturer’s premises. Later in 2023, the system technology was brought to Barchfeld and installed. The coating process was then set up and continuously improved. The first spokes were coated in the fall of 2023.

At the beginning of 2024, employees were trained in the field of cathodic dip coating. Büchel Industrie now has a dedicated team at its disposal and can operate the coating system in two shifts.

What is CDC coating?

Cathodic dip coating (CDC) is an electrochemical coating method. The component to be coated is immersed in an electrically conductive paint bath. After exposure to electrical voltage, paint particles are deposited on the component. The paint particles form a uniform paint film over the entire surface. The paint film increasingly insulates the component and ultimately stops the electrical attraction. After the paint layer has been applied, thermal treatment takes place in a specially designed curing oven. The resulting coating provides effective and long-lasting corrosion protection with high temperature and chemical resistance. It is scratch-resistant and safe against stone chipping. Various pre-treatments further improve the corrosion protection and create an excellent adhesion base for the CDC coating.

In the industry, cathodic dip coating is considered one of the most efficient coating processes for metal surfaces. As the solvent is based on water and the paints are free of lead and zinc, this is a particularly environmentally friendly surface coating.

Due to its good properties, CDC is used as the coating of choice in various industries. For example, in the automotive industry, where it is used in the engine, chassis and brake areas as well as in the interior and bodywork. However, this form of coating has also become indispensable in the mining and power generation industries.