Let’s begin with powder coatings – what they are and what advantages they hold in comparison to the more tradition liquid coating option.
Powder coating is used for the purpose of applying tougher finishes, such as compared to liquid coatings – ie. conventional paint. Typically, powder coatings are applied to metals, and examples that may have this harder include objects such as appliances within the household – from dishwashers, laundry washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, and ovens to smaller appliances such as toasters or blenders.
The largest percentage of the powder coating market belongs to the appliance industry. Within all powder-coated industry parts consist of a third related to appliances. Furthermore, within the United States, the demand for the coating industry is projected to increase each year by an average of 3%. Although the coating industry is dominated by general industrial and automotive purposes, the demand for furniture had been anticipated to increase by over 7.6% between the years 2014 to 2020.
So given all these statistics that emphasize the size and significance of the powder coating market…
Why Get A Powder Coating?
Powder coatings are technically considered as 100% solids. However, unlike liquid coatings, their formulation does not contain solvents. Powder coatings are much more environmentally friendly.
As they are solvent-free, their VOC (or volatile organic compound) emissions are negligible, and this particular aspect of their make-up has certainly helped to increase their demand.
There are yet other advantages in regard to this type of coating. Since the powder is reused, the process is much more sustainable than other options and produces very little waste. Not to mention, the environment in which a professional finish is performed typically takes place within a sealed environment, which means a low risk of air pollution.
Aside from the positives related to environmental friendliness, as previously mentioned, the powder produces a hardier finish that leaves it a much more protective option than the conventional liquid coating option, paint.
What Is Liquid Powder Coating?
Now, there is another type of process called liquid powder coating. This combines certain advantages from both the liquid and powder options and places them in the newer emerged process. We could almost refer to it as an enhanced powder coating.
Above, the advantages of using powder coatings were greatly emphasized – in particular their tougher finishes and their environmental friendliness in terms of sustainability, minimal waste, and little to no air pollution.
However, on the other hand, a significant disadvantage of powder when compared to liquid coatings is their lack of versatility in terms of displaying certain aesthetic effects, of coating more unusually shaped surfaces, and their inability to handle high temperatures for curing.
In this case, the liquid powder coating option counteracts those weaknesses. It is much more flexible in terms of application and in terms of displaying special effects if desired. Materials that display those effects can be mixed into the solution.
As for the process of applying the liquid powder coating, the solution is either airbrushed or sprayed onto a surface, then left to dry, and then it is cured.
Between Liquid, Powder, And Liquid Powder Coating
There are options when it comes to surface finishing, and deciding between those options is truly up to the desired results.
Liquid paint is more traditional. It can be applied to more complex surfaces and holds greater flexibility in aesthetics – ie. glitters and metallic appearances.
Powder coating has clear strengths when it comes to negligible VOC emission, sustainability of the process, little waste, and minimal risk of air pollution, but it is lacking in the department of application to complex surfaces and of aesthetic options.
Liquid powder coating combines the pros of both previous types, allowing for the tougher, more protective surfaces, reducing on VOCs, leaving behind less waste and potential air pollution, while also allowing for flexibility in terms of complex surface application and of aesthetics (ie. special effects).
Regardless, in the end, it is up to the professional who performs the coating processes to evaluate which coating types would best suit the surface. There certainly are options.