You might already be aware of the effectiveness and affordability powder coating can provide when it comes to finishing industrial and manufacturing parts, tools, and equipment.
Powder coating has become increasingly more popular due to its ability to create a durable, tough, and gorgeous finish for a variety of items. During the powder coating process, a spray gun gives an electrostatic charge to the powder particles that pass through it; which are then attracted towards the item’s surface. Once this has been done, the item is then cured in an oven in order to melt and cross-link the powder over the surface of the item to create a durable finish that is resistant to corrosion, scratches, and wear and tear.
With thousands of applications for powder coatings — though mainly used for metal pieces — it is ideal for industrial equipment and parts as well as architectural pieces, agricultural equipment, and more. With that being said, there are many types of powders used in the powder coating process, each offering their own set of pros and cons.
The Different Types of Powder Coatings
1. Epoxies
Epoxies were the first powders to be widely used; and for good reason. They are extremely durable and offer (quite possibly) the best resistance to chemicals and corrosion of all the powders available.
Additionally, epoxies tend to adhere to metals more effectively, with sandblasting — as a pretreatment — improving their adhesion to metals even more.
The cons of using epoxy powders is the fact that they don’t weather well. This can be a problem if you have equipment or parts that are being exposed to the sun and the elements on a daily basis. This is why epoxies are better suited for indoor applications.
2. Polyesters
Offering incredible value, polyesters have quickly become the most commonly used powders. There are two main types of polyester powders used: TGIC (or tri glycidyl isocyanurate) and non-TCIG. Both polyesters offer optimal mechanical resistance, such as flexibility and impact resistance, along with resistance to chemicals.
What’s more? Polyesters can be cured at much lower temperatures than other powders, making it ideal for sensitive items. They also offer resistance to over-baking or yellowing, providing 1-3 years of optimal UV resistance; making them ideal for both interior and exterior applications.
By far, the biggest advantage of using polyesters is the wide range of choices for colors, special effects, and gloss levels they are available in. This makes the possibilities for customizing the look of your powder coated items almost limitless.
There aren’t many cons of using polyesters. However, if you have items that are permanently outdoors, and are in need of optimal durability and wearability, then using super durable polyester is ideal.
3. Fluoropolymers
When it comes to powder coating architectural pieces, fluoropolymers are the ideal choice as they have incredible weathering properties along with high quality gloss and color retention.
Many pieces, including:
● Curtain walls
● Doors
● Windows
… and more are perfect applications for fluoropolymers as they provide incredible resistance to corrosion and the harsh effects of the outdoor elements and the sun.
Just like with polyesters, there are two main types of fluoropolymers used: FEVE and PVDF. The latter always needs a primer beneath it and can be more difficult to bond when creating metallic powders. On the other hand, FEVE resins (which are the most widely used) have
superior one coat capabilities and excellent exterior performance.
4. Urethanes
Chemically similar to polyesters — excluding the curing agents — urethanes provide an extremely smooth finish and durability for exterior applications. Additionally, urethanes are resistant to chemicals and corrosion, making them perfect for items such as fuel tanks and agricultural equipment. One of the biggest drawbacks of using urethanes is it has a higher mil thickness, which can lead it to become brittle overtime. They can also be more expensive than other powder types due to the cost of resin.
Your Next Powder Coating Project Starts Here
As you can see, there are many different types of powders used in the powder coating process, but with so much versatility there are thousands of applications as well.
No matter if you need to finish industrial/manufacturing equipment, parts, and tools, agricultural equipment, or something in between, your next powder coating project starts at Rush Powder Coatings.
We specialize in powder coating in Indianapolis and can handle any size project. Contact us today to get started or call 866-981-2771!