Global Fastener News

FEATURE

Longer product life, “invisible” finishes, friction control, more durability with less thickness and increased usage of nano-technology are the future of fastener finishes, Brian Lowry told the National Fastener Distributors Association.

Lowry, VP for technical services at Curtis Metal Finishing Company, said the fastener industry can expect further environmental restrictions. Targets include zinc, aluminum, nickel, chromium and PTFE. It is hard to find alternatives for zinc, Lowry commented.

Also raw material costs will increase for petroleum and metals, Lowry anticipates.

Expect more OSHA regulations, Lowry said.

Many regulations result from globalization rather than any one government, he noted.  “Globalization of finish specifications requires approved materials to be available in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. 

For example, increasing environmental pressure due to globalization is forcing the finishing industry tools for alternatives to Hexavalent chromium compounds, Lowry said.

Cadmium, lead and barium are hazardous materials affecting fastener finishes. The industry is fighting nickel regulations and cobalt will soon be used less.

For more on Lowry’s NFDA presentation, FIN Subscribers can CLICK HERE.

For NFDA information: nfda-fastener.org.