Optimization of Process Parameters for Dry Film Thickness to Achieve Superior Water-based Coating in Automotive Industries

A study on water-based epoxy coated on mild steel using the electroplating method was conducted to optimize the process parameters for dry film thickness to achieve superior paint quality at optimal cost in an automotive plant. The regression model was used to adjust various parameters such as electrode voltage, bath temperature, processing time, non-volatile matter, and surface area to optimize the dry film thickness. The average dry film thickness computed using the model was in the range of 15 - 35 mu m. The error in the computed dry film thickness with reference to the experimentally measured dry film thickness value was 0.5809%, which was well within the acceptable limits of all paint shop standards. Our study showed that the dry film thickness on mild steel was more sensitive to electrode voltage and bath temperature than processing time. Further, the presence of non-volatile matter was found to have the maximum impact on dry film thickness.