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Orders for Black Coat(TM) Begin with Endcaps As Armco Product Innovation Hits Market

28 July 1999

Orders for Black Coat(TM) Begin with Endcaps As Armco Product Innovation Hits Market

    PITTSBURGH, July 27 -- Armco announced the first orders for
the company's new Black Coat(TM) stainless steel have been received from Arvin
Automotive Industries of Columbus, Indiana.  Arvin will use the Black Coat
stainless steel to fabricate the endcaps in mufflers produced for General
Motors Pontiac Sunfire GT.
    Black Coat was created by the Armco Technology Center in Middletown, Ohio,
in answer to a need for improved cosmetic corrosion resistance and exhaust
system longevity.  As a prepainted stainless steel, Black Coat is designed to
improve the cosmetic appearance of "visible" exhaust system components, and
has proven to withstand the increased temperatures of modern engines.
    Black Coat addresses consumer demands for better looking, longer lasting
exhaust systems.  For automotive parts manufacturers like Arvin, this latest
stainless steel development from Armco gives automakers solid reasons to
switch from post painted systems to Black Coat.
    "Black Coat provides better performance and style possibilities," said
Dick Obsitnik, Armco Sales Director for Automotive Exhaust Stainless Steels,
"not to mention the cost savings.  Black Coat allows the elimination of post
painting lines and labor, as well as the attendant environmental costs that
seem to rise every year.  That's substantial."
    In production, stainless steel coils of Black Coat are made using a
reverse roll-coating technique.  This method of application results in a
uniform and highly-adherent coating, with none of the traditional flaking of
many post spray-painted exhaust systems.
    Armco Inc. is a leading producer of specialty flat-rolled
stainless and electrical steels.  Armco automotive stainless steels are used
in exhaust systems, fuel systems, wheels, suspension systems, air bag
components, trim and other automotive components.