What Are Powder Coatings?

Durable, flexible, and protective, powder coating is the perfect way to keep your applications safe from impacts, corrosion, and abrasion. You won't have to worry about rust or acidic erosion wearing down your metals anymore, because they can be protected with just one coat!

Many manufacturers and consumers are enjoying the unique benefits that powder coating offers. Powder coating makes up 15% of industrial finishing. It is used for functional and decorative finishing for a durable coating.

Powder coating Technology is consistently evolving and looking to enhance coating to have several benefits. It provides excellent appearance, superior protection and is environmentally friendly. It is being used in more applications each day since its introduction to industries.

At laserspike, we provide powder coating services for a wide variety of projects.

Powder Coating is used in many metal manufacturing industries and everyday uses such as: metal construction materials, landscape and architectural fencing, safety railing, automotive, electrical, industrial equipment large and small, heat/air ventilation, and street and indoor furniture.

Powder coating starts out as a thin coat of "dry powder." The powder is made up from polymer resins, combined with curatives, pigments, leveling agents, flow modifiers, and other additives. These ingredients are then melted and mixed together, cooled, and ground into a consistent and fine powder.

The powder is then sprayed on metal surfaces, held in place by static electricity and baked in an oven at up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While in the oven in melts into smooth or textured finish and comes out fully cured after it is cooled.

Powder Coating Steps

Powder Coating Involves 3 Basic Steps:

1- Part Preparation or Pretreatment

There are many ways to prepare the metal surface for powder coating. The removal of oil, soil, lubrication greases, metal oxides, welding scales etc. is MOST essential part prior to beginning the powder coating process. It can be done by a variety of chemical and mechanical methods. The selection of the method depends on the size and the material of the part to be powder coated, the type of soil to be removed and the performance requirement of the finished product.

2- Powder Application

The Powder Coating process uses a solvent-free dry mix of plastic resins, pigments, and fillers. It is electrostatically charged with a powder coating gun and with low air velocity the particles are propelled toward the metal surface where it adheres to the metal surface by electric attraction. The most common way of applying the powder coating to metal objects is to spray the powder using an electrostatic gun, or corona gun which are then attracted to the grounded part. The thickness of the coating ranges from 2-5 mils depending on the powder used.

3- Oven Cure

The object is then heated up to as high as 500 degrees, and the fine powder melts into a uniform film, and is then cooled to form a hard coating. There are two conditions that are to be met to cure the powder effectively. The first is metal temperature and the second is time based on the particular powder used. The powder coat creates a plastic sheet around the metal. The end result is a durable long lasting finish.