Tin Electrolytic Coloring with Pinakin Patel  Electrolytic (or two-step) coloring is one of the most durable metal coloring methods on the market, even outperforming paint. Electrolytic coloring is primarily used on extruded aluminum parts for the architectural (store front), and automotive trim industries due to its durability. Our hosts Tej Patel of Techevon LLC and George Oh of Quaker Houghton discuss the process of tin electrolytic coloring with Pinakin Patel, owner of Techevon LLC, a global anodizing chemistry supplier in Chicago, IL. Electrolytic coloring, as noted by our hosts, is a combination of “science, sorcery, and luck”. Pinakin describes the basic science and history of electrolytic coloring and colors available for aluminum anodizing. One of the biggest advantages of electrolytic coloring is its light- and weather-fastness. In this episode, Pinakin focuses on the tin electrolytic coloring method and specific equipment, chemicals and processes that need to be considered to ensure consistent color. 

Pinakin Patel on Mid-Temperature Sealing  Our hosts, George Oh of Quaker Houghton and Tej Patel of Techevon, talk with anodizing industry expert Pinakin Patel, owner of Techevon LLC, a global anodizing chemistry supplier in Chicago, IL. Pinakin explains what mid-temperature seals are, the types of mid-temperature seals, his patent on sealing of aluminum oxide, nickel-free mid-temp seals, types of surfactants and how they interact with sealing methods. Comparison of different sealing methods to mid-temperature seals and its environmental impact. Be sure to join us at the 2023 Anodizing Conference on October 10-12 in Bellevue/Seattle, Washington. Learn more at www.anodizing.org/AnodizingConference where Pinakin will also be speaking. 

2023 Anodizing Conference Preview George Oh of Quaker Houghton and Co-Chair of the AAC Education Committee, Tej Patel of Techevon, and Mark Spencer of AaCron Anodizing talk with AAC President Jeff Henderson about what to look forward to at the 32nd Annual Anodizing Conference & Exposition, October 9-12, 2023 in Bellevue/Seattle, Washington. Listen to this episode to get a feel for what to expect, what you’ll learn, and how you will benefit by joining us at the 2023 Anodizing Conference. Visit www.anodizing.org/AnodizingConference for program and registration details.

Heavy Metal-free Dyes  Mahe Chandrasekaran, Chemical Engineer with Techevon, LLC, joins our hosts George Oh, R&D Senior Chemist with Quaker Houghton and Tej Patel, Director with Techevon, to discuss which heavy metals show up in the anodizing industry, heavy metal-free dyes, why use metals in dyes compared to metal-free dyes, which heavy metals are used in dyes for the anodizing industry, and the advantages and disadvantages for each dye type.  They also discuss the types of colors one can get using various dyes for aluminum anodizing. To hear more of this type of educational content, be sure to attend the 2023 Anodizing Conference & Exposition on October 10-12 in Bellevue (Seattle), Washington. Visit www.anodizing.org/AnodizingConference for program and registration details. 

The Environmentally Friendly Anodizing Line Rob Pawson of Haviland Products talks with Mark, George, and Tej about creating an anodizing line that is environmentally friendly. PFAS regulations, dealing with other city, state and federal water regulations, the cost for installing scrubbers, and solutions for water discharge treatment are covered. Rob discusses how chemical manufacturers are continually coming up with more environmentally friendly solutions—from non-nickel seals and spray rinses to metal-free dyes—to help anodizers reduce water use and reduce the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.

Promoting Careers in the Anodizing Industry Kevin Janis, Business Development Manager for Reliant Aluminum Products, talks with hosts George Oh and Mark Spencer about his career path versus his expectations, challenges in hiring for the anodizing industry, what might attract young people to the industry, doing more to share information about the beauty of anodizing, and more.

Meet the Industry Figure: Kevin Janis, Reliant Aluminum Products Our podcast hosts, Mark Spencer, George Oh and Tej Patel, talk with Kevin Janis, Business Development Manager for Reliant Aluminum Products to learn more about his 25-year career in the aluminum finishing industry. Kevin’s background as a lawyer, his love of college football at his alma mater University of Wisconsin, his experience with a “wood-fired bright dip anodizing line” early in his career, and what he does during his down time are explored. Here Kevin’s perspective on the benefits of attending the Anodizing Conference every year in this enlightening episode.

Dan Bishopp, Quaker Houghton, on Acid Etch Dan Bishopp, Regional Sales Manager for Quaker Houghton, discusses his start in the aluminum extrusion industry and his eventual move into the anodizing line in the 1980s with Bonnell Aluminum in Kentland, Indiana with our hosts Mark Spencer and George Oh. He discusses his career trajectory from line worker to Process Improvement Manager with Bonnell Aluminum and then to Regional Sales Manager with Quaker Houghton. Dan explains how the Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium project became the first architectural acid etch job in the United States. The eventual adoption of the acid etch process in the U.S., which reduces streaking on aluminum extrusions, and how the acid etch process may have increased the volume of anodizing today is also discussed.

Meet the Industry Figure: Rob Pawson Rob Pawson, Vice President of Haviland Products in Grand Rapid, Michigan, talks with our hosts about his company, the anodizing industry, the benefits of membership and committee involvement in the Aluminum Anodizers Council, as well as Rob’s longevity in the industry.

Bill Zahner and Aluminum Anodizing President & CEO of A. Zahner Company, Bill Zahner, talks with our hosts to tell us a little about his background, and his company. The company, founded in 1887, is a pioneer in architectural metal fabrication, engineering and installation. Bill, a prolific writer, talks about the lack of knowledge of architectural metals during the research of his first book. The hosts dig into his book Aluminum Surfaces: A Guide to Alloys, Finishes, Fabrication and Maintenance in Architecture and Art, and discuss aluminum anodizing, its characteristics, how Zahner approaches anodizing finishes and how it differs from paint. Learn also what Bill does in his downtime, his aluminum finishing tips, and the differences between the use of anodized aluminum in the U.S. and Europe in this fascinating episode.