What Is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a process to coat and seal metal parts as an alternative to paints and other coatings. These parts are required to be made of materials which can hold an electrostatic charge, and can tolerate high heats, therefore it is mainly applied to metals; copper, brass, mild and stainless steel, titanium, and bronze, are all suitable for powder coating processing, however, non-metallic parts (such as plastic, wood, composite, MDF, and glass) can be powder coated too with additional preparation, and as long as the item can withstand the temperature of the curing oven.
Powder coating is a premium option when compared to paints, however the slight price increase brings a plethora of advantages. Cosmetically, powder coating is available in many colours, and provides a much more even coating than paints or organic coatings.
Powder coating is also more durable than traditional metal paints and will not chip or flake as easily. It is also much more resistant to corrosion, damage from chemicals and weather, and general wear and tear. Finally, Powder coating is not flammable or carcinogenic, and the whole process is generally less damaging to the environment than paint.
Uses of powder coating.
Powder coated items see many uses where their properties are superior to those of paint-finished items. Many pieces of outdoor furniture such as benches, bike stands, and bollards are powder coated in order to withstand the harsher conditions outside. Many vehicle and aeronautic parts are powder coated because they can withstand high temperatures and corrosion, also often powder coated are the bodies of golf carts and lawnmowers, housings for tools, and even shock absorbers, brakes, wheels, and car bumpers. Powder coated items can also be found in the home and offices, in the form of fire extinguishers, chairs, tables, and storage cabinets and shelves.
How to powder coat metal.
- Clean the metal.
Firstly, all metal parts must be cleaned thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, and other detritus. Any dirt on the surface can disrupt the application and curing processes.
- Pre-Treat the metal.
Next, the metal should be pre-treated for the power coating process, in order to prevent chipping and corrosion on the final piece. A conditioner is applied to set the surface pH level and lock it in. Next, a corrosion barrier is applied, usually zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, or zirconium. The workpiece is then rinsed, and a sealant is applied. After another rinse, it is dried in an oven and allowed to cool completely.
- Application.
Next, the powder is applied. This is done by earthing the part to be coated, and electrostatically charging the powder. The powder is made from epoxy or polyester resin, curing agents, and a variety of additives, which can alter the finish, colouring, serve as anti-caking agents, and increase durability. Once, the powder is electrostatically charged, it is sprayed at the earthed piece. The powder is quickly attracted to, and clings evenly, across the entire surface of the piece, thanks to the static cling effect.
- Curing.
To finalise the piece, it is placed into a curing oven (around 200 °C for 10 to 15 minutes) where the powder it transformed into a gel in the heat. As it cures and hardens, a tough, durable surface finish forms.
A full range of aluminium, copper, bronze, brass, mild steel, and stainless steel suitable for powder coating can be found on the metals4U online metal store.
