What are the 6 types of powder coatings?
Whether you’re new to powder coatings or a seasoned veteran, you’re undoubtedly well aware that powder coating is an excellent painting procedure that produces a robust, durable, and aesthetically pleasing finish. The method is the same whether you use a single gun and a tiny oven or a large fully automated line. Powder coatings have literally thousands of distinct applications. Powder coating is mostly used on metals, making it ideal for industrial parts, medical equipment, architectural applications, automobile refinishing, bicycle parts, domestic appliances, furniture, enclosures, trailers, lights, and so on.
There are many various sorts of powders used, each with its own features and applications, so ensuring that you have the correct type of powder and THEN selecting the color is critical for a successful application. Examine the various sorts of powder and the advantages they will bring to the parts.
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Epoxies
Epoxies were the first powders that were widely used. They are extremely robust, have exceptional hardness, and have the best chemical and corrosion resistance of any powder on the market. Another advantage of this type of powder is its ease of usage and variety of cure schedules. Epoxies stick to metals exceedingly effectively, with various metal pretreatments, such as phosphate coating and sandblasting, producing good adherence.
The disadvantage with epoxy powders is that they do not age well. They may fade and chalk in the sun if exposed to the elements. They do not weather well and frequently begin to disintegrate on the surface within a few months. As a result, epoxies are more suited to indoor uses. Finally, because of their adhesive strength and corrosion resistance, many primers are epoxies. Because they do not perform well in the sun, using them as a pre-coat underneath another paint type takes advantage of their capabilities while masking their weaknesses.
Polyesters
Polyesters are the most often used powders and provide excellent value. The two most common varieties of polyester powder are TGIC (tri glycidyl isocyanurate) and non-TGIC, often known as TGIC-free or a ‘Primid.’ Both TGIC and TGIC-free polyesters have excellent mechanical properties, including high flexibility and impact resistance, as well as superior chemical resistance. One advantage of this powder is that it cures at a low temperature. Because of the low-temperature requirement, it is great for sensitive goods.
Polyesters also have good overbake resistance to yellowing, making them very easy to use. Standard Polyesters have a UV resistance of 1-3 years, making them suitable for all interior and certain exterior applications. The large variety of colors, gloss levels, and special effects available in conventional polyesters is a great advantage. It’s nearly unlimited! Polyesters have excellent all-around qualities and are a popular first option for a wide range of applications. It may seem apparent, but TGIC-free polyesters provide all of the benefits of TGIC polyesters without the TGIC! They can also provide a higher first pass transfer efficiency than TGICs, but are more susceptible to excess film thickness and have poorer overbake resistance.
As the workhorse of powder coatings, it’s hardly surprising that polyesters have a few downsides. Consider ultra-durable polyester instead if you’re coating pieces that will be constantly exposed to the elements and thus require exceptional wearability and durability. The biggest downside of normal polyester is its limited exterior durability.
Super Durable Polyesters
Super Durable Polyesters have quickly become the polyester powder’s superhero. When compared to conventional polyester, these outstanding value powders offer superior durability, as the name implies. They are intended to keep their color and gloss within specified limitations for 5 to 10 years longer than normal polyester.
Not only do they give greater color and gloss protection, but they also have better humidity and corrosion resistance. These Super Durables have become extremely popular in recent years due to their increased capabilities and excellent value for money, making them ideal for indoor applications requiring improved fade resistance as well as a wide range of outdoor applications.
Epoxy-Polyester Hybrids
Epoxies and polyesters are frequently combined to make hybrids. These hybrids are similar to pure epoxies but have better weather degradation qualities. These hybrids can be combined in different proportions to accentuate the properties of either epoxy or polyester. When compared to straight epoxy, the polyester improves overbake resistance and produces ultra-smooth, thin layers. The combination of resins can also make them more cost-effective than pure epoxy.
The polyester reduces the epoxies’ corrosion and chemical resistance but adds no exterior weatherability to the product. Hybrids are commonly employed on things that require both good aesthetics and practical features. Hybrids can be found in some of the same applications as epoxies, although they are more commonly seen on indoor appliances and other domestic products like as furniture, shelves, interior lighting, and power tools. Hybrids are commonly used in household appliances such as stoves, washers, and dryers.
Fluoropolymers
Fluoropolymers are commonly employed in architectural sectors because to their exceptional weatherability and color and gloss retention. Because of their corrosion resistance and good weatherability, they are particularly popular for exterior architectural applications such as curtain walls, windows, and doors. FEVE and PVDF are the two most popular Fluoropolymers encountered in powder coatings. PVDF Fluoropolymers, whether liquid or powder, always require a primer beneath them and are significantly more difficult to bind when making metallic powders.
Because of their exceptional one-coat capabilities and incredible external performance, FEVE resins are the most popular in the powder community. FEVE-based Fluoropolymer metallics can also be bonded, resulting in a more evenly dispersed metallic flake throughout the powder for a more consistent appearance when applied. Fluoropolymer powders are often exclusively available to Certified Applicator program members, as they come with up to a 20-year warranty when sprayed on architectural aluminum by a certified applicator.
IFS 500FP, a high-performance, FEVE-based fluoropolymer that adds superior abrasion resistance to the usual fluoropolymer properties, is one common brand of fluoropolymer. IFS 500FP may be found on a wide variety of structures, including the DSNY building and the stunning new thin skyscraper at 111 57th Street in Manhattan, as well as 9th and Lenora in Seattle and the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma.
Urethanes
Urethanes are chemically similar to polyesters, however, the curing agents differ. Urethanes have a very smooth finish, excellent exterior durability, and excellent chemical and corrosion resistance, making them perfect for things like fuel tanks. Other popular uses include agricultural machinery, air conditioners, car rims, and doorknobs. Because fingerprints are less noticeable, they are utilized on door knobs, oven knobs, and other similar applications.
A disadvantage of urethane paint is that it might outgas and become brittle at greater mil thicknesses. You may also detect an odor during application and cure, and smoke might be produced in the oven during cure, therefore while applying, keep a check on your application and cure conditions. Because of the expense of the resin, urethanes are often more expensive than other forms of powders.
Powder Coating Booths
One of the fastest-growing coating sectors is powder coating. With a complete array of lab, pass-thru, spray to-waste batch, and cartridge batch-collector style powder booths, we focus on how to keep up with this ever-expanding market. They are offered with and without refund. We are convinced that our varied array of Powder Equipment can assist you with any application or finishing issues.
In the market? Our powder coating booths are available in Cartridge Batch Powder, Lab Powder, Pass Through Powder Coating and Spray to Waste Powder booth styles. And, no matter what you need to cure or dry, we have the right Powder Coating Oven for your shop.