To better understand the benefits and drawbacks of powder coating it is important to start with what it is. Powder coating uses coatings that are in a powder form and an electric charge to cause the powder to adhere to a surface. The coating is then baked at high temperatures which causes the powder to flow together, resulting in a coating that is durable and withstands the elements well. Powder coating is like any paint application process, it has its pros and cons. We will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of powder coating further in this article.
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The pros of powder coating include that it has greater durability than most liquid applied coatings, is friendlier for the environment, in the long run can be more cost efficient, and is generally less flammable than an equivalent solvent based liquid coating. It’s environmental friendliness and long term cost advantage comes from the fact that powder that does not adhere to a target is collected, meaning limited to no waste of coating. Additionally, because the powder stays in the booth little to no VOCs are released into the atmosphere in comparison to solvent based spray coatings. Powder coating is also one of the most durable coating types, able to stand up to harsh elements as well as being relatively scratch resistant.
Despite all these positives there are some downsides to powder coating. These downsides include color change difficulties, difficulties applying a thin amount of coating, start up costs, difficulty touching up missed areas, the part has to be able to be grounded, and finish appearance. With powder coating each non adhered powder particle must be collected and can make color changes difficult as the collection area for the powder that does not adhere must be emptied each time a color is changed. Thin film builds (less than 6 mils) are hard to achieve with powder coating. This is due to the powder coating process and cannot be changed; essentially you have less fine control over the amount and speed which powder is applied to the target. If you need a coating build of less than 6 mils, powder coating is not the right fit for your painting process. Along the same lines, due to heavier film builds and the way powder coating is done, the finish quality is usually less fine than a sprayed coating. Powder coating requires the coating to be baked which allows the coating to flow together to form the surface finish. Due to the coating flowing together you have less control over the way the material smooths out. In liquid coating work you can control your atomization level which allows for the finish to be finer as you apply increased air. Due to powder coating not allowing for small film builds, touching up a part is generally not possible as well. With powder coating you will typically need to remove all of the original coating to achieve a quality finish, with liquid coating you can sand and prepare a portion of a product and achieve a blended finish that will be hard to tell apart from the rest of the product. Powder coating is applied electrostatically and therefore your target part must be able to be painted electrostatically. Finally, you have start up costs. With liquid coatings you only need a basic spray gun and a booth to be able to safely coat any product you want. However with powder coating, a powder coating oven, powder coating spray gun and a powder coating booth are required which can be a higher initial purchase. The expense of the powder oven often can be limiting as well to the size of item you can coat. Liquid coating can be applied in the open (this is not recommended but is possible) powder coating requires a booth and oven to be able to apply a coating to a part. Which means you will have to purchase an oven large enough to handle your product if you plan to powder coat.
Do I need a thin coating layer (<6 mil coating) – you need liquid based coatings
Do I need a “class a” think car quality finish – usually you would use a liquid coating to achieve a car finish
Do I have limited start up capital- you may want to consider liquid coatings for your finish
Do I routinely have large parts – you may want to consider liquid spray if the item is so big that the oven would be extraordinarily expensive
Do I have a single color I use and want durability – go for powder coating
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Do I need to watch the environment and have few color changes – go for powder coating
AMS specializes in metal fabrication and powder coating to provide the perfect balance of superior protection and a beautiful appearance. Powder coating is an increasingly popular surface treatment because it offers unprecedented durability, stellar aesthetics, and cost-efficiency.
Up until the s, the majority of metal fabricators opted to use liquid solvent-based paint to complete their work, but it was a labor-intensive and meticulous process. Chromium treatments were popular in the s, and many fabricators followed suit. However, they were costly and time-consuming, exactly like liquid paint.
In the s, powder coating finishes made a successful transition from the research labs to the marketplace. The use of this method above the alternatives was much favored by metal fabricators, and as a result, its use soared in popularity. According to the Powder Coating Institute, 15% of all product finishes worldwide are powder coated right now.
Powder coating is a process commonly used in metal fabrication for creating a protective and decorative layer for various metallic surfaces. This method of coating is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and provides an attractive finish. Here are three benefits of using powder coating with metal fabrication:
You can trust AMS for a long-lasting finish every time, to help you create items that look as good as new for years to come. AMS provides optimal corrosion resistance and helps your investments last longer than conventional treatments, so you don’t have to worry about refinishing or repainting time and time again.
Our powder coating services also offer a dynamic range of attractive colors and finishes, giving you more choices to make sure your end product stands out from the rest. Plus, AMS works hard to keep our prices competitive so that you can get a truly high-quality finish at a price point that won’t strain your resources.
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