Over the years, manufacturers and industry professionals alike have been looking for a more effective method of finishing and coating services than the traditional liquid paint. Liquid paint tends to require regular maintenance, get easily scrapped off, and also offers less flexibility in terms of the surfaces that it can be used to coat.
As a result of these challenges, powdercoating was developed. In simple terms, a powdercoating is a dry finish that achieves high quality and durable results through a simpler application process. It can be used to coat many different surfaces (such as metal, plastic and fibre) in an environmentally friendly manner.
How does powdercoating work?
A powdercoating consists of polymer resins that are combined with pigments (to induce color), flow modifiers and leveling agents. The process begins with these elements being mixed in a melted state, cooled, and blended into powder form. This powder substance is then applied through a spray gun to the appropriate surfaces.
The spray gun enables the powder to adhere to its new surface by inducing electrostatic charges that cause the powder particles to form long adhesive chains.
As a result, the powder coating "coats" the new surface more effectively than liquid-based coating substances. The process is also easy to carry out, cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Applications of powdercoating
Since the development of this useful procedure in the early 1960s, it has become commonly used across multiple industries and for many different applications. Some of these applications include:
Home and office Appliances
Most of the appliances that we use today in our homes/offices are powdercoated to provide their texture, color and overall appearance. Freezers, kitchen appliances, dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerator doors are all applied with a powdercoating to give them their distinct colors and finishes.
Building architecture
The appearance of buildings has been revolutionized by powdercoating. From aluminium doors and windows, to bathroom fixtures and metal gutters, we see the useful effects of powdercoating in action. The process is also used on mailboxes, guardrails, stairways, and outdoor fixtures.
Automotive industry
Cars and car accessories have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of powdercoating. The powdercoating process is used to give wheels, bumpers, door handles and steering wheels their unique and attractive finishes.
The coating method makes car parts more durable, attractive and resistant to external weather conditions. In fact, powdercoating has become the gold standard coating process in the automobile industry.
