Powder coating is used on a variety of products. It’s most commonly used in the appliance industry, which dominates about one-third of all industrial powder-coated parts. This type of finishing has several advantages, which is why it’s quite popular. But what exactly is powder coating, how is it done, and why get a powder coating? Read on to find out more.
What Is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a coating process most utilized as a metal finish on industrial equipment and appliances. This coat is applied in powdered form and then cured with heat. This type of coating provides high-quality finishes that are highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. The powder coating finishes are also quite flexible. They can be utilized on a variety of surfaces that include steel, plastic, and metal. The finish can also be used on outdoor applications.
How Does it Work?
There are several elements that are used to make powder coatings. Most contain resin, curing agents, extenders, flow modifiers, and additives. When it comes to the proportion of these ingredients, the formula is determined by the purpose of the coating being created. Each of these ingredients serves a purpose in the coating.
In order to function, this finished powder needs an electric charge. This is what differentiates powder coatings and paints. Instead of using adhesives, they are attracted to surfaces through an ionizing process. Once the ionizing process is initiated, a chemical bonding process follows between the target surface and the powder coating. This is what gives the coating its strength.
Advantages of Powder Coating
So, why get a powder coating? This type of finish has several advantages. For instance, it’s quite environmentally friendly when compared to other finishes like paint. This is because it’s reusable and recyclable. Another advantage is that the powder can be used precisely with no wastage. This is unlike painting, where there are usually a lot of oversprays. Apart from being environmentally friendly, powder coating is also cost-effective and delivers a polished look.
While powder coating might seem expensive at first, over time, the coat will be a much cheaper option. These are some of the things you need to know about powder coating. It has a lot of other benefits. For instance, the coat repels moisture, elements, and different types of chemicals, making it highly durable. These factors answer the question, why get a powder coating?