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Powder coating is a metal finishing process mostly on industrial equipment. Powder coating is applied as a dry, free-flowing, colored powder to a fabricated part through an electrostatic process, then curled with heat. Powder coating is a flexible and durable solution and protects a range of substrates. The process is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, and it’s one of the most used types of finish in the world.
Surface Preparation is the first step of the process and perhaps the most important one. This entails getting rid of all contaminants lurking on the surface and promoting coating adhesion. Preheating the workpiece achieves a uniform finish, and can enhance durability, and corrosion resistance. The material being coated is then sprayed with the powder coating material using an electrostatic gun that imparts charged particles onto the surface of the substrate.
The next step in the powder-coating process is curing, coated product is then passed to the oven where the chemical alteration of the powder coating takes place and the bonds solidify.
One of the most significant advantages of using powder coatings over liquid paints is that once solidified, more layers can be added. Thicker coatings mean longevity and more protection.
There are two types of powder coatings, thermoplastic, and thermosets.
Thermoplastics are manufactured from synthetic materials that can be formed multiple times. High temperature can melt thermoplastics, therefore this process makes the powder coating both reversible and reusable. However, thermoplastic powders are favored for their wear and chemical resistance.
Thermosets go through a chemical cross-linking reaction that is non-reversible when baked, altering the physical properties of the powder coating. They cure harder than thermoplastics and provide a high level of resistance to heat. This type is much cheaper as compared to thermoplastic powder coating.
Powder coating has applications in diverse industries. The coated product has corrosion protection, scratch resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Powder coating is used for external architectural features such as metallic roofs and curtain walls, this makes sure that they retain their surface appeal for the longest time possible. Moreover, it also provides a protective coating to street furniture such as road and direction signs.
Powder coating protects agricultural implements, industrial machinery, and metallic outdoor furniture. Most high usage car parts, such as door handles and bumpers, are also powder coated.
Powder coating finishes are the most used protective finishes when it comes to metal fabrication. Therefore, it’s important to acknowledge types of powder coating when deciding what types of powder coating services are best suited for specific applications.
Writer Credit: Ar. Jahnavi Malhotra
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