Quality assurance in painting technology — Dr. Erichsen Award

Dr Karl-Heinz Stellnberger of voestalpine Stahl GmbH was awarded the renowned Dr Erichsen Award for quality assurance in painting technology at the DFO Quality Days in Würzburg for his lifetime achievement in the field of corrosion resistance testing.

In his laudatory speech, DFO President Jens Rautengarten paid tribute to the achievements of Dr Stellnberger and his team, who have developed at least 144 tests over the years and acquired a large number of patents.

Particularly noteworthy is the so-called stacking test, which simulates the formation of condensation in the gaps between the windings of sheet metal coils and can thus lead to dangerous crevice corrosion.

Dr Stellnberger has also improved the classic salt spray test according to DIN EN ISO 9227 by replacing classic nozzles with ultrasonic atomisation. By means of a camera, photos can be taken every two hours, which are combined to form a film showing the corrosion growth.

In addition to his work at voestalpine Stahl GmbH, Dr Stellnberger is involved in various committees such as the VDEh, the VDA and the DFO. Together with representatives from other companies, he developed the VDA alternating test, which simulates the reality of corrosion in the automotive sector better than previous methods.

Source: https://www.besserlackieren.de/marktgeschehen/unternehmensmeldungen/dr-erichsen-preis-fuer-qualitaetssicherung-in-der-lackiertechnik-verliehen/