Application Technology

Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co KG has reported that it enjoyed great success on the press and trade visitor days of the recent IAA exhibition, in Hanover, Germany, which is the leading international trade fair for mobility, transportation and logistics.

Covering 230,000m² of exhibition space, IAA attracted around 931,000 visitors, 1,103 exhibitors and 219 world premieres, breaking all previous records. The Dörken stand attracted numerous interest from visitors, keen to find out more about Dörken’s theme of KTL 2.0.

Cathodic dip coatings (KTL) are the most frequently used surface protection systems in motor vehicle construction. With its Delta-eLack® KTL technology, Dörken MKS-Systeme presented two new facets of this proven technology. In combination with the zinc flake technology the result is high performance cathodic protection, enabling corrosion durability of over 1,500 hours in the salt spray tests as per DIN EN ISO 9227 with a layer thickness of 10 + 10. The second aspect regarding KTL 2.0 was KTL coating in the bulk goods process – from small screws to more complex components. This involves the Delta-eLack system in combination with a specially developed engineering process, which enables coating in the drum with a throughput of up to two tonnes or 1,400 litres per hour.

One particular draw for Dörken at the IAA was the KTL unit, shown in action on the stand. There was much discussion regarding the comparison of different surfaces on a tracking rod, subjected to a 720 hour salt spray test (pictured left) after stone impact.

For over 30 years Dörken has produced micro layer corrosion protection systems in Herdecke, Germany, and is now the European market leader in chrome(VI)-free zinc lamella systems. Under the DELTA-MKS® brand name the company produces and configures extremely high performance surface protection, for use in the automotive and wind energy industries in particular. The globally specified products are free from heavy metals.