Expert Guides
Powder Coating Finish Types: What Are The Options?
Powder coating is an effective alternative to conventional paint for metal surfaces. There are many powder coating finish types out there, including epoxy, epoxy polyester, and acrylic. Powder coating is durable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly thanks to adhesive-free bonding abilities. Find out more about powder coating types and their advantages for long-term industrial use.
Epoxy
Epoxy is a form of resin that is used on surfaces that require resistance to chemicals; it is also used as a strong adhesive for structural and engineering purposes. Epoxy is made using a combination of resin and hardener for a better application; this type of powder has a high resistance to heat and light and tends to be used on fuel tanks, floors, vehicles and aircraft.
Epoxy Polyester
Epoxy polyester is a combination of epoxy and polyester; it has stronger resistance to heat and light but is less resistant than outdoor polyester powders. Epoxy polyester offers physical and chemical resistance and is therefore suited to commercial and non-commercial applications. Epoxy polyester powder is used for lighting fixtures, metal furniture, and hospital equipment.
Polyester
Polyester powder coating contains resin and hardener; it is mainly used in the aluminium industry. Windows, doors, and surfaces that need to withstand heat and light and sustain colour quality in the long term can benefit from polyester powder coating. This powder coating can be used in agricultural machinery, bicycles, and rims. It can withstand conditions for up to 15 years.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane also contains resin and hardener, but unlike other polyester powder coatings, polyurethane provides chemical resistance. Polyurethane is highly resistant to moisture, salt spray, and abrasions; it tends to be used in the automobile industry for finishes, bathroom accessories and fittings, and garden products that require hard-wearing abrasion resistance.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a hard transparent resin that is used in a wide range of applications. Acrylic is used predominantly in the automotive industry for topcoats, light covers, and windshields, but it is also used for lenses, paints, and LCD screens. Acrylic is a strong and durable powder. Unlike other powder coatings, it is produced in isolation to protect it from contamination from resins.
Advantages Of Powder Coating
Durability
Powder coating benefits from excellent durability, one of the reasons it is used in the automotive industry and for agricultural vehicles. Powder-coated surfaces are highly resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, along with general wear and tear. Powder-coated surfaces are also unaffected by long-term sun exposure, so it makes the ideal coating for many outdoor surfaces.
Longevity
Other forms of paint and finishing tend to fade and deteriorate over time, but powder coating guarantees long-term quality. Choose the right powder coating for the surface, and you can expect the surface to look new for between ten and twenty years. It offers excellent value for money. However, powder-coated surfaces can still become dirty, dusty, and grimy over time.
Saves time and money
Powder coating offers excellent value for money. Conventional paint is expensive to buy, time-consuming to buy, and difficult to store long-term. On the other hand, powder coating is more affordable, can be applied and cured on the spot, so there is no drying time and fewer labour costs. Powder coating can also be stored long-term without losing any of its quality.
Environmentally friendly
Another advantage of using powder coating instead of conventional paints is the environmental considerations. Unlike conventional paints, powder coating doesn’t contain any solvents or environmentally harmful chemicals. The particles are applied directly to the metal and attach to it with an electrical charge rather than adhesives. It is long-lasting and is not contaminated.
Powder coating is environmentally friendly for a number of reasons. The main factor is that powder coating doesn’t contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs linger in the air contaminating it and contributing to physical issues like sight loss and organ problems. Powder coating is also environmentally friendly due to the reasons stated; it contains no solvents and offers longevity.
In summary, powder coating is an effective, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly finish for metal surfaces. There are many types of powder coating out there, including epoxy, epoxy polyester and acrylic. Coatings are used in the automotive, agricultural, and construction industries.
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