Large-scale ultrasonic cleaning line is an ‘investment in better aluminium bonding.’
Powdertech Surface Science has upgraded its aluminium cleaning capability with the installation of a large ultrasonic cleaning system at its facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
The investment gives Powdertech’s customers access to high-capacity, repeatable ultrasonic cleaning for high-volume and complex aluminium components, achieving surface cleanliness levels of 56 Dynes and above.
Ultrasonic cleaning has been added to Powdertech’s 4-metre 4,800-litre tanks, adding an improved ability to remove contaminants from surfaces, cavities, and difficult-to-reach areas to help improve coating adhesion, structural bonding, and long-term reliability of finished aluminium components in automotive, medical and precision-engineering sectors.
Jimmy Phillips, Head of Sales and Marketing at Powdertech Surface Science, said, “We know our customers are seeing more demanding cleaning specifications that call for testing to higher Dyne levels, with this new system, we can offer them measurably cleaner aluminium at scale. We see this as an investment in better aluminium bonding for our customers, and their customers.
“We think this is the biggest ultrasonic cleaning system of its kind from a specialist provider in the UK. It gives us the capacity and control to deliver consistently high standards of cleaning on thousands of parts a day, strengthening the value we can bring to customers with increasingly demanding aluminium applications.”
Powdertech has been providing powder coating and aluminium cleaning and passivation services to the automotive industry for over 25 years. In recent years, the company has become a key part of the UK EV supply chain.
Why is precision aluminium cleaning becoming increasingly important?
As lightweight materials, advanced coatings, and structural adhesives become more widely used across various industries, the need for exceptionally clean component surfaces is increasing.
Similarly, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on controlling particulate contamination through standards such as ISO 16232.
For customers handling intricate or high-value aluminium components, even small amounts of contamination can affect function, coating adhesion, or long-term reliability. This makes achieving consistent, repeatable cleanliness increasingly important, as customers target strong adhesion, reliable bonding, and consistent product performance.
How ultrasonic cleaning supports precision cleaning?
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves (typically ranging from 20 kHz to 400 kHz) that produce microscopic bubbles in a liquid cleaning solution. When the bubbles burst, they provide a rapid, non-abrasive method for deep cleaning aluminium components.
Ultrasonic cleaning is particularly effective for parts with cavities, recesses and complex geometries that are difficult to clean consistently using standard methods.
Powdertech has two automated up to 15-stage cleaning and pretreatment lines for aluminium components, offering best-in-class optimised TiZr passivation using the Gardobond and Gardoclean systems.
The new ultrasonic cleaning facility has been added to the cleaning operation of the lines, which boast 4-metre by 2-metre by 0.6-metre tanks and currently process thousands of aluminium parts a day.
Investing in the future of advanced manufacturing services.
Jimmy Phillips said: “The installation of our ultrasonic cleaning line builds on our established expertise in advanced aluminium powder coating and pre-treatment, enabling customers to access an even broader range of specialist manufacturing services from a single, trusted supplier.
“We expect demand for cleaner, more reliable and higher-performing aluminium components will increase, particularly within the automotive and other precision-engineered sectors.
This investment ensures that we are well positioned to support both today’s production requirements and the manufacturing challenges of the future.”
About Powdertech Surface Science
Powdertech Surface Science was established in 1984 as a specialist powder coating business. In 2000 it began offering TiZr passivation and specialising in the automotive, industrial and engineering sectors.
In recent years it has further specialised in coatings for EVs, medical devices, aerospace and defence.
It is one of the UK’s leading providers of dielectric coatings for EVs, offering volume production and international consultancy.
