Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine Jan/Feb 2023 - 7

NEWS
Imagineering Finishing
Technologies Takes
Flight with Artemis
Space Mission
The first test flight of NASA's Artemis 1, a Space
Launch System (SLS) moon orbiting mission, was
conducted in late November from the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida using the Orion spacecraft built
with critical components processed by Imagineering
Finishing Technologies (IFT).
IFT provides non-destructive testing, paint, and
Chemical Conversion Coatings on rocket components,
including the SLS fuel tanks and the Orion spacecraft,
which will deliver astronauts deep into space for
continued exploration of the moon and eventually
travel to Mars.
" It is incredibly satisfying to watch a live launch
of a spacecraft knowing that IFT processed some of
the components being carried into space, " said Jim
Hammer, CEO of IFT.
IFT has been a part of NASA's next-generation
space program over the last 10 years. In 2012, IFT
was contacted by a prime NASA contractor about
processing one of the first components for the Orion
spacecraft.
" With the successful prototyping processing of
those initial components, we received a request from
the contractor to establish a proprietary process to
prototype an 18-foot dome cap for the fuel tank on the SLS rocket, "
said Nick Hammer, IFT facilities manager. " This required us to make
significant modifications to our Indianapolis plant layout and co-invest
with them to build a permanent processing system to manage those
parts. "
The uncrewed spacecraft was sent on a 42-day flight around the
moon. The Artemis 1 Mission will enable astronauts to orbit the moon
for the first time since 1972.
AkzoNobel Launches Dedicated Range of EV Powder Coatings
AkzoNobel recently launched a new range of Resicoat EV
powder coatings to protect the battery system and electrical
components of a new generation of electric vehicles (EVs).
The future success of EVs is dependent on the performance
of the battery and associated systems. Battery performance,
however, is highly impacted by its environment, which is why
it needs protection to ensure the vehicle's performance and
the safety of the passengers. Powder coatings can improve
the performance of the battery by providing insulation from
electric current and protection against corrosion. This means
manufacturers can extend battery life, and ensure the battery
performs better for longer.
Each of the five product ranges developed within the Resicoat
EV range has been specifically innovated to enhance the safety
and performance of the EVs of tomorrow. They have electrical
insulating properties and enhanced thermal management to
help protect the battery systems, motors, and electrical storage
units.
The Resicoat EVpack delivers a range of protective properties
for the battery pack or housing to insulate electrical systems;
Resicoat EVcell provides outstanding cell to cell electrical
insulation for even the most intricate designs; and Resicoat
EVcooling is designed to deliver superior performance in
thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, edge coverage
and consistent film building in cooling tube and cooling plate
applications.
The range also includes Resicoat EVbusbar to coat the
busbars that carry and distribute electricity to improve heat
dissipation and support a lower fire load with a longer lifetime
during thermal impact. To protect the electric motor, the
Resicoat EVmotor range includes epoxy powder solutions that
are specifically designed for the electrical insulation of hairpin
stators.
Key solutions within the Resicoat EV range are tested and
approved to UL 94 V-0 which enables vehicle systems to tolerate
a certain amount of exposure to a flame without igniting.
They're also tested and approved to UL746B and UL1446,
ensuring they can resist thermal degradation and possible
damage that can occur at elevated temperatures.
" For more than 60 years we have built the expertise and
innovation inherent with our Resicoat brand to help resolve
the challenge of electrical insulation. We understand how an
exceptional powder coating with the right application technique
will provide consistent electrical insulation for the life of the
key components, such as the batteries in EVs, " said Jeff Jirak,
managing director at AkzoNobel Powder Coatings.
January/February 2023
7
Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine Jan/Feb 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine Jan/Feb 2023
