The power of powder coatings is truly remarkable and not fully realized until you see them in action. Powder coatings are widely used to coat most any type of surface and they are easy to apply with little preparation. In fact, it’s hard to imagine what you’d be able to do without them!
In a way, paint is what people use to cover the things they’re working on and to make them look nice. But while paint is pretty straightforward, it can be a very involved, complicated, and even dangerous business.
Powder coating is an attractive alternative to liquid coating because it allows for a wider range of coating thicknesses and also produces thicker, even coatings. Powder coating is also an excellent way to hide imperfections or design patterns on the surface of a part.
The ESD method can be used to create thin, even coatings, although not as thin as the coatings produced with the liquid coating process.
Powder Coating Material Considerations
The two main types of coating materials used for powder coating are thermoset and thermoplastic. Thermoset coatings undergo the curing stage (solidification) before they can be applied to the surface whereas thermoplastic coatings need only be heated and applied. Each type of material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some have unique physical properties.
Thermoset coatings are usually based on epoxy or polyester resins and are cured with amine hardeners. They are typically very high in molecular weight, have good heat resistance, and are relatively flexible. The major drawback is that they require long bake times, i.e. the time required for the cross-linking to occur. This means that the coating can only be applied at ambient temperature and must be allowed to stand for at least an hour before it can be handled or applied to a substrate.
When heated, will the powder coating change color?
Powder coating is an opaque finish that does not change color when it is exposed to heat. There are some finishes that are transparent and are called clear powder coats. However, these are very hard to apply to parts, and require special tools to be applied.
Powder coatings are applied to the surface of the part and then cured in a curing oven. The coating is cured because it will not cure if the temperature is too high. Powder coatings are ideal for outdoor applications, especially in harsh environments such as automotive repair shops and auto body shops.
Why Use Different Industrial Coatings?
Industrial coatings and finishes have many different types. Each type has a specific purpose, and this varies depending on how and where they’re applied. The right finish for a particular situation can change from location to location and even within the same area.
Conclusion on Powder Coating Finishes
They not only protect your metal from corrosion but they also make it look great. Contact a powder coating machine expert to discuss your options when it comes to equipment.