Which PFAS substitute for which application?

Since the end of last year, an increasing number of PFAS-free paints have been seen on the market. However, it is sometimes overlooked that some suppliers have already been using such products for years. These are therefore not exclusively new developments. Nevertheless, the growing variety of alternatives is remarkable. However, there is no universally applicable coating lacquer, which makes it all the more important for coating companies to have a broad portfolio of suitable lacquers and the corresponding application expertise.

Coaters should be able to clarify important questions in advance

The coating company OVE Plasmatec from Weil im Schönbuch, for example, offers seven PFAS-free coatings and has experience in the finishing of elastomer surfaces. This is by no means always a matter of large series from quantities of one million upwards. The Swabians have already coated a single sealing ring with a diameter of two meters. However, the right coatings for the application-specific coating of elastomers, primarily seals, are always decisive.

To find this out, important questions should be asked and answered in advance: Is it a static or dynamic application? Can the paint be colored? What operating temperatures is it suitable for? What low coefficients of friction can it offer? Does it reduce insertion forces? Does it make assembly and separation easier? These are all fundamental questions. Just as important is often whether the automotive industry has approved the coatings, whether they are LABS-compliant, or whether they have FDA or drinking water approval.

Test paints from renowned manufacturers in our own technical center

It is not always possible to say immediately which coating is the right one for the specific application. OVE Plasmatec has been using its own technical center for this purpose since the beginning of 2024. In various test set-ups, the experts accompany a possible test process until the right coating is found.

For coatings, the specialists in Weil im Schönbuch mainly use paints from large and well-known manufacturers. This ensures a high and lasting reliability of supply. Depending on the application, the coatings can also be freely configured. For many customers, this is an important factor in their decision to opt for a two-supplier strategy. OVE Plasmatec can currently use six PFAS-free coatings. A seventh will be available in the second half of the year.

Three new developments have been added to the portfolio since fall 2024. OVE20T is a PFAS-free wax compound, OVE25T is a PFAS-free polymer solid lubricant and OVE26T is a transparent PFAS-free silicone coating. OVE25X and OVE26X are also available in eight colors: yellow, orange, red, green, blue, white, violet and grey. This is often a decisive aspect for differentiation, identification or recognition by cameras in automated processes. The two PFAS-free coatings OVE13T, based on silicone lubricant, and OVE95T, based on synthetic resin silicone lubricant, have also been used for years.

High-performance coatings for specific cases

All of these PFAS-free varnishes are characterized by special applications. OVE20T, for example, is a universal, water-based bonded coating with an organic binder that can be used for coating in simple applications. It reduces friction and noise, ensures permanent separation with automatic feeding, facilitates assembly and adheres well to metals, plastics and elastomers. If no different colors are required, this is an inexpensive basic coating.

Another new water-based bonded coating with an organic binder, OVE25T increases the performance of many seals. Polymeric solid lubricants serve as the base material. This creates a high-quality elastic surface that adheres very well to metal, plastic and elastomers, reduces friction and has a UV indicator for easy testing. The PFAS-free new development therefore facilitates assembly and is often used in automatic feed systems.