If you’re looking for a way to protect your metal, glass, or plastic products after manufacturing, powder coating is the durable, affordable solution that adds beauty and strength to your projects. The advantages of powder coating make it a far better option than standard paint.
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a way to protect many products from elemental damage, as well as normal wear and tear.
This finishing process uses a thermoplastic or thermoset powder coating that is sprayed on a surface, then melted and allowed to harden into a smooth, even, durable coating.
Because of the thermo bonding created during the curtain process, a powder coated finish is scratch and fade resistant, able to withstand flexing without cracking, and provides superior color retention. It can be applied in thicker layers than traditional paint, adding to its durability.
What is the Powder Coating Process?
Powder coating is a three step process that includes the preparation, application, and curing stages.
Preparation
During the prep stage of powder coating, a surface must be thoroughly cleaned and free of dust and debris. This includes removing any rust, existing finishes, oil, and other grime. Cleaning surfaces prior to application can be done through neutral detergents, etching, alkaline washes, or blasting using pressurized fluid or air.
Once the surface has been thoroughly cleaned, any design elements can be added using masking products.
Application
There are two application processes, depending on what type of coating is selected. Thermoset powders are reliant on a chemical reaction to bond, while thermoplastics rely on heat.
Electrostatic deposition, or ESD, uses an electrostatic spray gun or a spray booth to apply coatings.
Fluidized bed powder coating involves dipping preheated parts into the powder materials.
Curing
The final stage of the powder coating process is curing the finish in a powder curing oven. Depending on the size of the materials and the thickness of the coatings, these ovens are operated between 325-450 degrees Fahrenheit and can cure the products quickly, usually between 10 to 60 minutes on average.
Once the parts have been cooled enough to be safely handled, they can be packaged or assembled into a finished product.
What are the Advantages of Powder Coating?
Powder coating finishes are better than liquid coatings in most applications:
- Curing time is faster with powder coatings when compared to liquid coatings
- Powder coatings create thicker coatings without running or pooling like a liquid
- Less overspray
- Consistent appearance on both vertical and horizontal surfaces
- Chip, crack, and scratch resistant
- Resistance from heat, cold, water, UV rays, and other elemental exposures
- Corrosion resistant
- Flexible and versatile finishes, including special effects, with colors that last
- Environmentally friendly with a significant reduction in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Chemically resistant
Powder Coatings: The Path to Durability
More and more industries are seeing the advantages of powder coating over traditional paint finishes. Powder coating increases strength and reduces wear and tear while providing a wide variety of colors and the ability to add design elements to many products, from metal to glass and plastics.
EDCO Fabrication is your home for fast and affordable powder coating. Contact us today for a free quote on all your powder coating needs.