Formability

Over a range of industries it is standard practice to coat sheet metal before it is formed to the final shape. This is a proven and widely used procedure to prevent corrosion during transportation and storage. There are well known examples where it would now be unthinkable not to use pre-coated sheet metal. The initial coating remains on the sheet material even after the parts have been formed to the final shape and becomes the base for subsequent coatings. It is thus a decisive factor for the quality of the finished product.

The formability of this first coating depends on good adhesion as well as adequate elasticity. These properties can be tested in the laboratory and monitored alongside production under standardised conditions using ERICHSEN Sheet Metal Testing machines. The pioneer and inventor for this basic procedure, which remains the established test method worldwide, was AM Erichsen, founder of the Erichsen company.