Precious metals

Collini surface technology makes it possible to create products in such a way that they appeal to the varying aesthetic requirements and wishes of consumers. Design is more than the form and functionality of an object. In many cases, it is the aesthetics that adds to the value. The look, colour or structure of identical materials can be changed through different surfaces.

• Powder coatings with its almost infinite possibilities in terms of colouring, degrees of glossiness and structures give products their true character. It is irrelevant whether it concerns machine cladding, vehicle components or architectural design elements.
• High quality metal surfaces can be created with electroplating, the properties of which distinguish it clearly from that of the base material. Hence, products are refined and the required effects in finish and structure of the respective product
  are created. 
• Hot-dip galvanised structural components with its crystalsilver surfaces are, besides the corrosion protection, often specifically included as design elements.

Metals are electric conductors; electrons can flow freely within them. The better the conducting capacity of a metal, the lower the loss of current and signal transfer and the more accurate one can measure, control and regulate. Electroplating technology makes it possible to coat base metals with relatively poor conducting qualities with a thin layer of a precious metal. This way valuable resources can be preserved.

Collini provides its own alloy and pure metal coating systems for high technical demands. Such systems are being used widely and have become “Industry Standards” in many cases. These intelligent surfaces are applied on plug contacts, switching elements and sliding contacts to name only a few.

The natural state of metals is an oxide. In the metalworks the oxide is extracted by using oxygen and energy and the pure metal is obtained. However, the metal is “predestined” to return to its original state at exposure to oxygen and water. And the less precious the metal is, the faster it happens. That is corrosion.

Surface technology slows down or prevents this corrosion process. Protection against corrosion through innovative surface technology increases service-life and thus raises the value of the product or structural component. Collini provides numerous possibilities to combat corrosion.

• By means of electro-plating, structural components can be protected against corrosion with suitable metal coatings.
• Powder coatings form impenetrable barriers against oxygen and water and thus protecting the underlying structure.
• Hot-dip galvanising protects steel parts by specifically inducing the corrosion process on the zinc surface. And only there!

Collini intensively deals with tribology: in other words, how friction and wear can be reduced or the lubrication between structural components can be improved. Because these factors are directly affected by the choice of the material, the surface coating and the surface topography.

Specially developed alloys and coating systems – Collini surfaces – reduce for example the energy input through the reduction in friction, increase the service life of bearing materials, plug contacts or improve the service performance of sliding contacts. Thereby the respective structural component can be manufactured from inexpensive basic materials. Then its required functionality – lower friction resistance or wear – is created with the coating system. By reducing friction and wear, energy and raw material resources are preserved and the service-life of products is increased. This is how Tribology contributes significantly to sustainability.