What is powder coating?
Powder coating is dry paint. Instead of being dissolved or suspended in a liquid medium, such as solvent or water, it is applied in its dry form, finer than ground pepper, coarser than flour, it is applied directly to the surface to be coated. Contained with in each powder particle is the resin, pigments, modifiers, and a curing agent. It is the most cost effective way to enhance any kind of metals.
How is powder coating applied?
Powder is applied electrostatically charging the powder particles and applying them to a grounded part. Grounding is done through the conveyor or fixture holding the part. This application takes place in coating chamber which contains the powder being sprayed. The charged powder adheres to the coated part by electrostatic charge until it enters the curing oven. Under heat, the powder melts onto the surface of the part, leaving a uniform, high quality, long lasting and attractive finish.
Is powder coating safe on the environment?
Liquid paint requires solvents which then in turn require filtering, venting and solvent recovery systems to control any harmful emissions. Since powder coating contains no solvents, it makes it cleaner and safer for our environment. Because powder coating is a dry process up to 98% of the powder can be retrieved and reused. The little waste that is produced can easily be disposed of very economically and safely.
What about the energy requirements?
Heating costs are less for a powder coating oven then a liquid paint curing oven. Due to solvents in liquid paint those ovens need a high volume of heated and exhausted air to prevent explosive levels of fumes. Because of the lack of solvents in powder coating, the energy needed to operate the ovens is considerable lower, ensuring energy savings over liquid paint.
Is the process fast?
The process is a lot faster than liquid paint because there is no dripping or running and virtually no dry time allowing for a low reject rate. The parts can be placed closer together on the rack allowing for more parts to be sent through the production line quicker. Changing of colors can be made in a relatively shorter period than liquid paint. All of these factors come together to produce a very low reject rate allowing for a high rate of volume.
How would you sum up the benefits of powder coating?
Powder coating is very resistant to cracking, chipping, corrosion, flaking, chemicals, scratching and marring; unlike wet paint products. Powder coated parts can even be machined and most are recoatable. It can be applied to just about any metal such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, etc… Many different products such as metal furniture, computer cabinets, bicycle parts, shelves, lawn mowers, fire extinguishers, automobile parts, toys and many more can benefit from this very durable finish.
