Understanding The Benefits And Challenges Of Powder Coating
Powder coating is a form of painting that consists of a thin layer of dry powder sprayed on the surface to be painted. Unlike traditional liquid paints which are delivered through an evaporating solvent or a brush, powder coating generally is applied electrostatically and cured using heat or by ultraviolet light. The powder coating process provides the artist with an unlimited palette of colors to paint with, and the end results are virtually unlimited in terms of design flexibility. There are literally no limits to the designs that can be created with powder coating. In fact, because the powder coating process does not allow the colorant to soak into the paint, there are almost no limitations on what kinds of paints and pigments can be used.
Pigments can be combined with a variety of chemical substances in many different ways to create countless new combinations that no other method of applying paint would provide. Two common types of pigments used in powder coating systems are the pigments PEG (polyethylene gel) and PTFE (polyurethane foam). These two polymers are insoluble in water, and as such when they are combined with a solvent (solvent like mineral spirits, or turpentine), the combination will form a cure. When this cure is allowed to dry, it gives the desired color to the chosen surface.
One of the most common types of powder coatings at https://powderwerx.com/powder-coating/ is the heat sensitive variety. Heat sensitive coatings are most often used on plastics, metal, and glass surfaces which are sensitive to high temperatures. The reason for this is that these materials cannot withstand extremely high temperatures. Heat sensitive coatings need to be cured on a low temperature and then exposed to high temperatures, sometimes in excess of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to be successful.
Another common form of powder coating is the electroplating system. Electroplated finishes combine the functionality of heat-sensitive and heat-resistant coatings. These finishes typically contain two to three layers of an electrochemical polymer. The base layer typically consists of PEG, and the top layer can contain a metal alloy, ceramic, or rubber compound. After the base coat has been applied, the platted layer is applied using a machine similar to a paint sprayer. These finishes are very durable and provide high-quality finish results with little maintenance. Read this article for more info!
Powder coating systems produce striking changes in final products, but there are several challenges associated with this unique finishing process. One of the biggest issues is that solvents, which are often used to dissolve the bond between the PEG and the surface to be plated, can add to the overall corrosion resistance of the finished product. Solvents also slow down the drying time of the finish, making it more difficult to achieve the sharp, mirror-like sheen of professional grade applications.
Another challenge to using powder coatings is the development of airborne dust during application. In addition, powders tend to adhere to other materials because of their oily nature. Because of these properties, powders are often mixed into substances not intended to be coated, like wood and plastic. This mixture poses another problem for powder coatings. If an item is to be painted, the primer must also be used to prevent the primer from clogging up with powder and eventually causing a powder stain. Read more about coating at https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-the-most-advanced-labs-in-the-country-still-use_us_57d05536e4b0f831f7067728.