Coating

PVC coatings for protection, functionality and safe handling

A soft PVC coating can be used to provide metal components and other suitable workpieces with a protective and functional surface. HAMCO mainly coats metal components, but also glass and heat-resistant plastics.

The PVC coating can fulfil a variety of functions: it protects against corrosion and mechanical stress, improves grip, absorbs shocks and vibrations, enhances abrasion resistance, and provides a slip-resistant and electrically insulating surface.

Which properties are most important depends on the specific application. With different degrees of hardness and material variants of the Covytec® range HAMCO can tailor the coating specifically to the requirements of the component and its intended use.

Do you have any questions? We are happy to advise you!

A functional surface is created from a part of an assembly

A PVC coating is particularly useful when an existing component needs not only to be protected but also to be given additional functional properties.

For example:

Handles and controls will become easier to grip and more comfortable to use,
Crane hooks and other components subject to heavy wear and tear must be protected against damage,
workpiece carriers, racks and mountings are fitted with an abrasion-resistant and shock-absorbing surface,
metallic components are protected against corrosion and environmental factors,
Contact surfaces must be designed to be slip-resistant and electrically insulating.

The coating can be applied to the entire component or, where required, to specific functional areas. Surfaces that are not to be coated can then be exposed and prepared for their respective functions.

Suitable for a variety of components and geometries

HAMCO primarily coats metal components made of steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper or brass. These include, for example, turned parts, bolts, handle components, bent parts, wire mesh, shelving, workpiece carriers, die-cast parts and drawn profiles.

Glass, ceramics and certain heat-resistant plastics may also, in principle, be suitable for PVC coating. The key factors here are the material’s temperature resistance and its ability to absorb and release the thermal energy required for the coating process.

For components made from special materials, with special surfaces or geometries, HAMCO recommends a trial coating. This makes it possible to assess, even before series production begins, whether the desired coating quality and adhesion can be achieved.

Handle and operating elements: Soft PVC dip coatings are often used for handles, levers and other operating elements. The surface has a better grip and is non-slip, while at the same time being kind to the skin.
Protective layer: In many cases, a dip coating is used as a protective layer to protect the underlying material from corrosion, aggressive liquids and chemicals or damage caused by physical impact.
Electrical insulation: Plasticised PVC is particularly suitable for the electrical insulation of cable insulators and electrical parts or components.
Medical and hygienic applications: Plasticised PVC is also used in sensitive areas such as medical technology, food technology and children's toys.
Complex geometries: The dipping process is particularly suitable for objects with complicated shapes and parts that need to be coated evenly and without gaps.

The protective function of the coating

An important function of the soft PVC coating is to protect against damage and injuries caused by sharp edges. This increases the safety and durability of the coated products. In many cases, a direct coating with soft PVC is the optimum solution when a rubber coating is required. The coating provides the desired cushioning and scratch resistance and is also a cost-effective solution, for example for transport and storage racks.

Soft PVC in various degrees of hardness and with different properties

For its coatings, HAMCO uses exclusively soft PVC from the Covytec® range. Different degrees of hardness make it possible to tailor the properties of the coating to the specific application.

A harder coating can, for example, be advantageous in situations where high abrasion resistance and mechanical strength are required. Softer types of PVC, on the other hand, are particularly suitable where cushioning, flexibility or a slip-resistant surface are required.

In addition, material variants with additional properties are available, for example:

enhanced UV resistance for outdoor use,
ESD capability for applications with specific requirements regarding electrical conductivity,
Detectability for use in the food industry,
heat-resistant PVC materials for temporary applications at elevated temperatures,
specialised materials for medical and therapeutic applications,
FDA-compliant PVC materials for food-contact applications on the US market.

Also for individual requirements

HAMCO coats both mass-produced components and bespoke, one-off items, as well as customised components. This coating can offer an alternative to PVC-dipped parts with attached sleeves – particularly where a permanent bond between the component and the PVC layer, high resistance to twisting, or targeted coating of specific functional areas is required.

The type of material, hardness and colour suitable for a particular application, and whether a bonding agent is required, depend on the specifications for the finished component. HAMCO therefore assists its customers right from the start in selecting the appropriate coating solution.

Discover products now

The coating process in detail

From assessing the component and selecting the appropriate PVC material through to trial coating and series production, HAMCO supports its customers in implementing bespoke coating solutions.
To find out how a PVC coating is produced technically and which factors influence the film thickness, surface appearance and quality, please see The coating process.

Contact HAMCO now

Supplier to the industry

Large and small quantity requirements Direct processing

Supplier to the technical trade

Large and small quantity requirements

Note on mandatory fields and data protection

The mandatory field is marked. All other fields are voluntary. Your data will only be collected and stored electronically strictly for the purpose of processing and answering your enquiry. Information on data processing can be found here: Data protection.