Alexandria, VA -- Business travelers around the world are reaping the benefits of new technology that has made laptops and cellular phones lighter. Until recently, the appearance of these products suffered as a result of this effort to decrease the weight. Now, however, high tech manufacturers are able to ease travelers' loads while turning out phones and laptops with aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting finishes. This development is primarily due to a new finishing method involving the use of powder coating.

Powder coating is popular with manufacturers because it creates a smooth and durable finish. But initially, when electronics manufacturers started using magnesium instead of plastic to make cellular phones and laptops lighter, they were not able to powder coat their products. It is very difficult to clean and prep magnesium, and powder coating necessitates a clean and prepped surface.

Applied Coating Technology, Inc., a custom coater in Minneapolis, worked with Itonics, Inc., a Seattle-based manufacturer of laptop computers, to solve the problem. Itonics makes laptops for clients who use them in service on the road, including Sears' service technicians and AT&T's diagnostic teams. When they contacted ACT three years ago, they required laptops with surfaces that could withstand jolts from a car and even crashes to the floor. In response to this need, ACT called in its pretreatment supplier and developed a new magnesium pretreatment process that entailed a sequence of alkaline cleaning, water rinsing, organo-metallic composite coating, and more water rinsing. Finally, Itonics was able to successfully coat their laptops with powder coating and ensure a level of abrasion resistance that could withstand a multitude of jolts.

Since then, the orders have been pouring into ACT. Mike Meagher, ACT's vice president of manufacturing and engineering, says that "Magnesium has been a big area of growth for us." Bar code scanners for use in parcel delivery have already moved from plastic to magnesium. Cell phone manufacturers are finding that magnesium offers a lighter phone with a more stable frame.

Keeping up with technology is nothing new for ACT, which began powder coating in 1976 for Litton's microwave ovens. "Over the years, we've increased the amount of powder work we do, and now about 60 percent of our finishing is with powder," Meagher said. "It's become a requested finish for quality, durability and environmental reasons."

Jaded business travelers know that in this day and age, a top-quality laptop or cellular phone plays just as important a role as a well-made suit in making a good impression. Thanks to the combination of powder coating and magnesium, they can show off their technological gadgets and carry a lightened load.

Savvy consumers can learn more about Powder Coating by visiting the PCI web site at: www.powdercoating.org.