Evolution in cold forming: CONDORLUBE DF 18

In the metalworking industry, cold-formed screws and bolts find use in a huge range of applications. For these components, the traditional production cycle involves a preliminary conversion coating (based upon zinc phosphate) to create a layer capable of absorbing the lubricant, generally provided by soaps. This production cycle is very complex and involves significant costs for the final user:

1. chemical or mechanical pickling
2. activation
3. phosphating
4. rinsing
5. neutralization

The activation, phosphating, and rinsing phases involve high energy consumption, great production of waste, and high labor costs. In addition, the process can be quite delicate, as a minor variation in the operating parameters can lead to the formation of non-cohesive phosphate layers and issues in the subsequent drawing phase. A seemingly minor problem in the surface conversion phase can therefore cause damage to the drawn plates, prolonged production downtime, and waste production.

To overcome these issues, Condoroil Chemical has developed a new pre-treatment process based on a new product: Condorlube DF 18.

The polymer-based product Condorlube DF 18 allows for a considerable reduction in the cycle and cost of the chemical pre-treatment before the drawing/molding operation. Condorlube DF 18 creates a thin and well-adhered lubricating layer on the component surface, which can be directly directed to the cold-forming operation or to subsequent treatment with drawing soaps.

Treatment with Condorlube DF 18 completely replaces the phosphating phases, resulting in a very simple production cycle:

1. chemical or mechanical pickling
2. washing - blowing
3. CONDORLUBE DF 18
4. drying

A production cycle of this kind is easy to manage for the final user and has reduced costs of maintenance, disposal, and labor, all while ensuring homogeneous results. Condorlube DF 18 residues can then be removed by alkaline degreasing.

Finally, the Condorlube DF 18 product can be applied both in-line and by immersion.

Throughout its history, Condoroil Chemical has devoted a considerable amount of research to - both traditional and nanotechnological - conversion coating processes, delivering innovations that have now become industry standards. These innovations have significantly improved production processes, making them less dangerous, less polluting, and more cost-effective. Condoroil believes that in the immediate future, there will be no more room for high-impact environmental technologies, but only eco-compatible production processes will be used. In this perspective, the company believes that dedicating time and resources in optimizing these processes is an investment for the future.