In many industries, coatings are applied to machines and products in order to accomplish a variety of goals. In fact, coatings can have both decorative and protective applications which make this procedure quite popular across many industries, especially in general industries, the automotive industry, and the home furniture industry. The industrial coating and finishing market is growing at a rapid rate and it is at this time that powder coatings have become increasingly popular due to the many advantages they can bring to the table. If you are wondering what are powder coatings and why get a powder coating for a particular application, it is important to delve into the specifics of the process and take a look at the benefits the powder coating process can bring to the table.
The goal of any professional finish can be either to make things look better or to provide things protection from exposure to the elements, or both. While liquid coatings like paints have been in use for a very long time and still remain a popular option, powder coatings have steadily grown in popularity over the years due to some very specific advantages they can bring to the table. This popular dry finishing process makes use of very specific materials and techniques and it is with an understanding of these materials and techniques that you can begin to understand what are powder coatings and where the appeal of this process lies.
In a number of workflows, the requirements dictate the application of finishes that are different from liquid coatings, which require solvents in the painting materials and can contain volatile organic compounds that cause harm to the environment. In some use cases, the quality and durability requirements make liquid coatings an inferior option. In such use cases, the application of powder coating can provide the desired results. This is a process that makes use of dry components and can result in finishes that are extremely durable and high on quality. If you want to know what are powder coatings, let us start with the process itself.
Powder coatings are mainly based on systems of polymer resins with a number of other additives that include flow modifiers, leveling agents, curative agents, and pigments. Usually, these ingredients are mixed together and melted, cooled to a degree, and then ground to a fine powder-like consistency. When it comes to the actual powder coating process, these are usually applied using a spray gun and electrostatic charge. The powder particles are provided an electrostatic charge and then sprayed at the substrate, which is grounded. This results in adhesion due to electrostatic attraction. The coated substrate is then put into a curing oven to cure with heat. This results in chemical reactions that create high-density chains that are extremely resistant to breaking down.
Understanding what are powder coatings can mean understanding the benefits this process can bring to the table. If you want to fully understand the appeal of this process, the key benefits need to be considered carefully. The process of powder coating creates a finish that is highly durable and can be extremely attractive. For this reason, the application of powder coating can be essential for heavy machine parts that undergo extreme stress and friction right down to items of home use, including furniture and electronic appliances. A professional powder coating finish can last for many years and can be resistant to wear and tear, abrasion, corrosion, fading, and scratches, making it a great choice for a wide range of applications.
With a wide range of applications and many benefits over liquid coatings and other forms of coatings, it is easy to understand the appeal of the powder coating process and why it is the preferred method of finishing for so many different industries. If you want to find a process of finishing that provides accurate, attractive, and durable results, it is difficult to go wrong with powder coatings. All you need to do is to find the right powder coating service provider in order to give your parts a professional powder coating. This can be really beneficial in many use cases.
