SUMMER 2023
Distributor's Link Magazine Summer 2023 / Vol 46 No 3
Distributor's Link Magazine Summer 2023 / Vol 46 No 3
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66<br />
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK<br />
THE FASTENER EXPERTS MENTOR GROUP consists of about 20 fastener professionals in various<br />
stages of developing and sharing their fastener expertise with the fastener community. They have a virtual<br />
meeting twice a month, under the direction of CARMEN VERTULLO, CFS. The discussion is unplanned but<br />
always informative and technically challenging. Many of the questions that are processed by the experts are<br />
worth sharing, and in the interest of developing their expertise they want to put their answers in writing.<br />
If you have a fastener question or topic that you would like to put to the experts, or if you would like to join<br />
the group contact Carmen at carmenv@carverem.com or 619-204-1543.<br />
I have a fastener question...<br />
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR A BLACK FASTENER FINISH?<br />
YOUR EXPERT<br />
DARLENE<br />
COLLIS<br />
Darlene Collis is the Vice-President of Quality for<br />
LindFast Solutions Group.<br />
She is a graduate of Bowling Green State<br />
University (Go Falcons!) with 25 years in the fastener<br />
industry primarily spent in coating applications. She<br />
is a Certified Fastener Specialist. ASTM F16 Fastener<br />
& B08 Metallic & Inorganic Coatings Commitee<br />
Member. Additionally, Darlene is Vice-Chair US TAG<br />
to ISO/TC 2/SC 14 Surface Coatings Commitee.<br />
She started in the coatings application industry<br />
in 1998 working in both Quality and Sales where<br />
she learned everything she knows about bulk and<br />
spray coating various types and sizes of fasteners,<br />
stampings, brake components and more. Her goal<br />
is to provide some considerations when it comes to<br />
choosing the right black finish for your application,<br />
along with general pros and cons to consider.<br />
If you have any questions please contact:<br />
Email: dcollis@lindfastgrp.com<br />
Tel: 586-506-6224<br />
When it comes to black<br />
fastener finishes, there are a lot of<br />
choices ranging from inexpensive,<br />
low performance, “just make it<br />
disappear” black to a top-of-the-line<br />
corrosion and outdoor weathering<br />
resistant, friction modified and<br />
aesthetically appealing<br />
black finish.<br />
When you are<br />
considering what black<br />
finish will work in the application<br />
there are many considerations. Does it matter if the<br />
color is dark grey vs. solid black? Is color variation a<br />
concern? Matte or glossy finish? Do you need corrosion<br />
protection? Will the fastener be exposed to outdoor<br />
weathering? Is thread fit a potential issue? Do you want<br />
friction modification for ease of assembly? Do you need<br />
chemical and/or UV resistance? Does the finish need<br />
to be regulatory compliant? There are surely a few more<br />
considerations, but in this day when we commonly want<br />
more performance for less money, the final question<br />
becomes “what is your cost tolerance”?<br />
To highlight a few commonly requested finishes,<br />
I decided to go raid the warehouse to see what’s out<br />
there for us to review!<br />
MENTOR ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 118
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