As the name suggests, powder coatings are coatings that get applied as free-flowing dry powders. They do not incorporate a solvent medium for maintenance of the coating in a liquid state like it is in conventional paints. The fillers and binders making up the coating are in the form of dry powder. To find specialists in powder coat Los Angeles should be the first location to visit.
The powder is applied using electrostatic means before heat is used to cure it into place. When curing is done, the coating flows freely and forms an application that is skin-like over the surface. The resultant coating is often tougher compared to the one that conventional paints form. These coatings exist in two major kinds, that is, thermoplastic and thermoset polymer.
The lack of a liquid carrier in powder coats allows the coatings to produce thicker layers of coating. The coatings can be produced without encountering the risk of running or sagging in the coating. It is also harder to differentiate between surfaces that are coated horizontally and vertically. Horizontal and vertical applications appear the same when one is looking at them. One has to be extra keen to notice the difference.
Powder coating has a very low level of emission of volatile organic compounds. The low level of VOCs is as a result of lack of a carrier fluid that evaporates. As such, the coating is healthier and environmentally friendly. When using this coating, it is possible to apply several powder colors that can then be cured together at once. This ability allows for special effects and color blending to be achieved within one layer.
The range of the particle size of most powder coatings in existence today lie between 30 to 50 microns. The softening temperature is 80 degrees Celsius while the melting temperature is 150 degrees Celsius. Two-hundred degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for curing. The duration for curing varies from one application to another, but lies between 10 and 15 minutes. How thick the application is often determines how long the curing will be done.
Before powder coating is done on a surface, the surface must be prepared adequately first. Preparation involves removing metal oxides, lubrication greases, welding scales, dust, dirt, and oil among other kinds of unwanted materials. There are several mechanical and chemical methods that can be used for surface preparation. The material and size of the surface that needs to be coated will often determine the type of method used for preparation.
During chemical treatment, the object or surface is submerged or sprayed with phosphates or chromates. The process consists of several steps that include de-smutting, degreasing, and etching. Several rinses of phosphate and chromate follows after the steps named above. Pre-treating a surface has to main purposes. The first purpose is to clean the substrate. The second purpose is to enhance the ability for the coating to bond with the substrate.
The toxicity of chromates to the environment has prompted better methods for pre-treatment to be developed. In effect, silanes, zirconium, and titanium are now being used to replace chromates. These substances offer the same results while being harmless to the environment.
The powder is applied using electrostatic means before heat is used to cure it into place. When curing is done, the coating flows freely and forms an application that is skin-like over the surface. The resultant coating is often tougher compared to the one that conventional paints form. These coatings exist in two major kinds, that is, thermoplastic and thermoset polymer.
The lack of a liquid carrier in powder coats allows the coatings to produce thicker layers of coating. The coatings can be produced without encountering the risk of running or sagging in the coating. It is also harder to differentiate between surfaces that are coated horizontally and vertically. Horizontal and vertical applications appear the same when one is looking at them. One has to be extra keen to notice the difference.
Powder coating has a very low level of emission of volatile organic compounds. The low level of VOCs is as a result of lack of a carrier fluid that evaporates. As such, the coating is healthier and environmentally friendly. When using this coating, it is possible to apply several powder colors that can then be cured together at once. This ability allows for special effects and color blending to be achieved within one layer.
The range of the particle size of most powder coatings in existence today lie between 30 to 50 microns. The softening temperature is 80 degrees Celsius while the melting temperature is 150 degrees Celsius. Two-hundred degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for curing. The duration for curing varies from one application to another, but lies between 10 and 15 minutes. How thick the application is often determines how long the curing will be done.
Before powder coating is done on a surface, the surface must be prepared adequately first. Preparation involves removing metal oxides, lubrication greases, welding scales, dust, dirt, and oil among other kinds of unwanted materials. There are several mechanical and chemical methods that can be used for surface preparation. The material and size of the surface that needs to be coated will often determine the type of method used for preparation.
During chemical treatment, the object or surface is submerged or sprayed with phosphates or chromates. The process consists of several steps that include de-smutting, degreasing, and etching. Several rinses of phosphate and chromate follows after the steps named above. Pre-treating a surface has to main purposes. The first purpose is to clean the substrate. The second purpose is to enhance the ability for the coating to bond with the substrate.
The toxicity of chromates to the environment has prompted better methods for pre-treatment to be developed. In effect, silanes, zirconium, and titanium are now being used to replace chromates. These substances offer the same results while being harmless to the environment.
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