As regulatory scrutiny of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) intensifies worldwide, the fastener industry is rethinking how to deliver high-performance coatings without compromising sustainability. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals”, are persistent in the environment and have raised significant health concerns. Rather than waiting for mandates to force change, companies like MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions have taken a proactive approach, eliminating PFAS from their anti-corrosion portfolio.
Topcoats are critical for achieving controlled friction, long-term corrosion resistance, and consistent appearance, especially in safety-critical automotive fasteners. Historically, these coatings have relied on PFAS-based additives, but that era is over.
The latest innovations, including TORQUE'N'TENSION™ 12N and TORQUE'N'TENSION™ F103N, deliver precise friction coefficients and maximum corrosion resistance to meet the most demanding automotive specifications, without the use of PFAS. Complementing these technologies is TRIDIP WETTER N, which is used in conjunction with TRIDIP to produce a uniform, deep black finish on zinc and zinc-nickel surfaces.
With supporting release packages and robust test data, these solutions prove that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand. By adopting PFAS-free plating technologies, manufacturers can stay ahead of compliance requirements while ensuring reliability across global supply chains.
Read the full article, available in the October issue of Fastener Technology International.
