(Company Annoucements) The absence  of ‘ghosting’ on Vitrex white enamel steel writing boards was a decisive factor in the company being chosen as the preferred supplier of new writing boards for the Tshwane University of Technology Arcadia Campus. Cristian Cottino, Sales and Marketing Director of Boksburg-based Vitrex, says: “’Ghosting’ occurs on white boards when the pen marks cannot be completely removed because the ink is partially absorbed into the surface itself due to the porous nature of the surface. The absence of ghosting - as offered by Vitrex white enamel steel writing boards - extends the life of the boards considerably.”

“TUT was experiencing increasingly pronounced ghosting problems on its white writing boards. It then decided to do a thorough assessment of the Vitrex alternative and its non-ghosting qualities. The university consequently decided to replace its writing boards with Vitrex white enamel steel boards,” Cottino stated. Singapore White was generally selected because of the colour’s dual-purpose: the degree of whiteness offered by this colour means that the boards can easily be used as projection surfaces for interactive equipment. Vitrex has for many decades been a leading supplier of enamel steel writing boards to educational as well as corporate training institutions. The enamel steel surface is created when an application of an inorganic coating consisting of glass, oxides and various minerals is fused to an enamelling quality steel base at temperatures of around 820 degrees Celsius. “White board surfaces are semi-gloss therefore suitable for use with dry wipe marker pens and are s dust free. This is important in environments such as laboratories, hospitals, computer rooms and food processing areas, where dust may pose a health hazard or cause technical problems with sensitive equipment,” Cottino explained. “Due to the absence of pores, the smooth, enamel steel surfaces cannot absorb dirt and grease. The presence and growth of bacteria and mould, therefore is reduced to create a more hygienic and healthy environment.

“Enamel steel’s surface hardness is very similar to that of glass. On the Measure of Hardness scale, enamel steel has a rating of approximately 6.9 compared with marble which has a rating of 3, quartz of 8, and diamonds of 10. Enamel steel’s hardness allows the surface to resist mechanical abrasion and prevent scratching, either accidental or intentional.” Enamel steel surfaces have other properties that make it the ideal writing surfaces, particularly in high use applications:  

• Ease of Cleaning: The surfaces can be effectively cleaned with a damp cloth and very mild alkaline soap;
• Resistance to chemicals: Most solvents, acids and alkalis do not negatively affect the surface or the finish. “An enamel steel surface is the only surface that can be cleaned with thinners without any damage to the surface or finish. In instances where a permanent marker has been used in error, graffiti has been applied, or paint may have accidentally fallen on the board, these can easily be cleaned off with the use of an appropriate detergent and water,” Cottino added;
• Colour fastness – Steel enamel colours are unique in appearance, fade proof and resistant to ultra violet light. Lines and designs can be permanently incorporated on to the surface.

“The alternative painted steel and high pressure density laminated surfaces are therefore clearly not equal to enamel steel surfaces, in terms of material construction nor properties and performance. Although the other options may provide be more economical in the short term, their surfaces are susceptible to both loss of texture and ghosting, which means that the boards have to be replaced in a relatively short period of time.” Cottino added: “Vitrex has been manufacturing writing surfaces for over 50 years and we  guarantee our board surfaces and workmanship for a period of  20 years in respect of normal usage, fading of colour, and deterioration or failure of component vitreous enamelled parts.”