Ghidini group can surely boast the largest catalogue of products, materials and finishes available on the handles and coordinates market.

BRASS. Brass is an industrial alloy of copper and zinc, of which zinc makes up at least 50%. The first use of copper and its alloys dates back to 5000 years ago. In our case the alloy represents a consistent part of our production and in our factories it is transformed from the original state to semi-finished products using processes of die casting, hot pressing, blanking and drawing, and turning according to whether the product is manufactured from ingots, cut down sizes of extruded bars, sheet or drawn bars.

ZALOR. Zalor is a registered trademark used to indicate a special alloy of zinc, aluminium and magnesium which is particularly suitable for die casting, used to produce articles which, after surface finishing operations, undergo galvanic treatments with gold, nickel, rhodium and chrome as well as our exclusive GHI.CO.TEC. treatment

ALUMINIUM. Aluminium is definitely one of the most interesting non-ferrous metals due to its low specific weight and its strong resistance to corrosion. This feature is considerably increased by means of anodic oxidisation and now also by using the innovative GHI.CO.TEC treatment.

NYLON. Nylon is the trade name for 6.6 polyamide, a synthetic thermoplastic resin with high mechanical properties and strong resistance to chemical agents. All nylon products are made using injection presses.

STEEL. Steel is an iron alloy containing up to 2% carbon and other elements which give the metal certain characteristics.
Steels are commonly divided into steels for general use and steels for specific uses according to their final use.
Stainless steels belong to the second category and resist oxidisation and corrosion, a characteristic which is determined by the presence of nickel and chrome in the alloy.

GHICOTECH In 1995 the new plant for the GHI.CO.TEC., Ghidini Coating Technology, started working. This new plant is a new way to conceive protection and colouring of brass, Zalor or aluminium handles an co-ordinates.

By means of a cataphoresis process, GHI.CO.TEC. deposits resins on metal and they adhere to it through an electric field which is generated in the bath tank where the pieces are dipped; with a further kiln step, the resin hardens and the piece takes the definite look.

The basic resin is transparent and colourless, but adding pigments, it can acquire any sort of colour.
In our case we use a colourless protection on polished brass and a “yellow” protection on Zalor or aluminium.

As far as brass is concerned, GHI.CO.TEC. is therefore a great change to the traditional transparent coating. Instead of treating Zalor and aluminium with the usual brass coating galvanized system, with a single GHI.CO.TEC. operation, it is possible to colour the article and at the same time give it the right protection from oxidation.

The coating is absolutely uniform as far as the thickness is concerned and guarantees those characteristics of hardness, adhesion, resistance to solvents and to corrosion in saline fog, with better results compared to those which could be reached by means of traditional treatments.

The echological aspect has to be taken into account as well, being the process a closed cycle, therefore no emissions in the environment, no fumes or dangerous substances for the operators are developed

G.PLUS Carrying on their research in order to offer the best technical and formal features, GHIDINI group are presenting G-PLUS: the most up to date technological development: PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) applied to handles and co-ordinates.

Hard and compact surface, great abrasion proof, atmospheric aggression resistant and a very pleasant vivid brass colour are the features which distinguish GPLUS.
G-PLUS is the result of hte most innovative deposition technique PVD, by means of which it is possible to carry out costings having high features through vacuum condensation of vapours obtained with physical factors on tbe surface to be coated.

In the G-PLUS case, a physical reaction among zirconium ions (ZrN) which are deposited on the brass surface previously nickel and chromium plated is foreseen. The vapours are originated by means of vacuum discharge pressure between a cathode, thet is the source of vapours and the chamber in which the entire process takes place. The handles and coordinates treated with G-PLUS have charateristics which are vastly superior compared to what obtainable by means of traditional treatments.

G-PLUS underwent severe laboratory tests which allow us to certify:

• 100% adhesion according to UNI-ISO 425415 Norrn.
• No alteratiorations after a 1000 hour accelerated resistance to light test according to UNI 9397 norm.
• No indentation was caused by using bydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, oxalic, acetic and citric acids, caustic soda and potassium hydroxide, cyanide and alkaline and hot degreasing.

The protective results of G-PLUS treatment allow, even to the most demanding customers, to obtain handles and coordinates with a hardened surface which can be compared to steel, which is resistant to external atmospheric agents and which can be placed externally even in saline fog. Thanks to the inalterability of protection, the brass colour brightness doesn’t change and an unlimited guarantee due to protection which goes even beyond the limit guarantee foreseen by the law.
G-PLUS a protection unlimited guaranteed for people who want beautiful long lasting handles.

 

G-PLUS ALLUMINIUM The manufacturing process is basically set out in 3 phases:

First phase: galvanic coating
Aluminium pieces to be galvanized are placed on special frames. The galvanic coating is a metallic covering that protects the substrate and enhances the technical characteristics (hardness and resistance to corrosion). The galvanic sediment is formed by several coatings of nickel and by one flash of chrome, with average thicknesses respectively equal to 15-20 micron and 0.2-0.3 micron.

Second phase: preparation for PVD
After the galvanic treatment, pieces need to be washed in order to remove impurities that would otherwise compromise the final result. Such a phase is carried out in an automatic washing plant which is constituted by different bath tanks containing alkaline and acid detergents, ultrasounds and demineralised water. The washing cycle is followed by a kiln-drying process for about one hour at a temperature of 80-90 °C.

Third phase: PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process
The frames with washed and dried samples are ready to be introduced in the PVD plant. This plant is characterised by a cylindrical chamber in which, by means of a series of pumps, hard vacuum is attained, which is the necessary condition for the deposit. This technique consists in triggering a vacuum-arc discharge between a cathode (sources of pure metal to be deposited, known as “target”) and the samples (anode). Using currents in the vicinity of 50 -100 A, the discharge occurs on a very limited area of the cathode surface, causing a strong evaporation combined with an ionization of the material. The arc moves very quickly on the cathode surface, thus eroding it evenly. The substrates to be coated are maintained at a negative voltage, therefore they attract and accelerate ionized vapours. Zirconium, titanium and chrome are the main targets in use.

Through the PVD process, the samples are coated with a very thin veil which, however, has amazing features both from a technical and ornamental point of view.
The PVD process has no environmental impact.