Views: 5 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-03-01 Origin: Site
Powder coating is a method of coloring metal parts or other materials with colored dry powder paint. It uses a spray gun to deliver the dry coating material. It is composed of finely ground particles of resin and pigment for color, along with additives for specific functions such as gloss or hardness.
First, a pre-treatment of the substrate is performed to remove dust, scale, rust and grease. This is done to improve the adhesion of the coating and increase its corrosion resistance.
Second, the coated piece is placed in an oven. It is then subjected to curing, a heat treatment that converts the powder coating into a solid coating on the product's surface.
Third, a chemical reaction occurs in the curing oven that improves the quality of the coating and helps it to stay strong for a long time. This reaction occurs when the polymer granules, which are mixed with hardener, pigments and other chemicals, are heated until they melt.
Fourth, the coating is then cured by heating it to a higher temperature than its original melting point. The powder granules will adhere to the grounded surface via an electrostatic charge until it is melted and fused into the finished coat in the oven.
This process is extremely efficient and saves a lot of time and labor costs. It also reduces overspray (wasted paint) and is recyclable. However, it is important to choose the right type of powder for the job.
Metallic powder is used in a variety of manufacturing processes. These include engine parts, nuclear power plants and more. Depending on what the application is, it might be used as a filler material to get a certain surface finish or as a base for a paint job.
The most common raw materials used in AM processes are metal powders that have strict specifications for their physical and chemical properties. This means that they are subject to an extensive screening process that is used to ensure that the powder meets specific quality and performance requirements.
There are a few different types of metal powders, including precipitated powders and electrolysis-produced powders. The former is high in purity and can be made in precise particle sizes.
Solid-state reduction is another common way to produce metal powders. This involves crushing selected ore, putting it through a furnace to reduce the carbon and oxygen levels, then separating the particles from any non-metallic materials.
Using electric current assisted sintering (ECAS) is also an option to increase the strength and density of the part by reducing the time it takes to complete a sintering cycle. ECAS is a good choice for simple shapes and requires less energy than conventional processes.
Choosing the right type of metallic powder for your application can be difficult, especially with a high contrast between the base color and the metallic flake. This is because the orientation of the metallic flake in the powder is important for the overall appearance of the finished product.
Powder coating is a dry finishing process that is usually used to create a hard, durable finish. It is an environmentally friendly way to coat metals and other surfaces, and it is also more affordable than other methods.
The main reason powder coating is more popular than paint is that it’s much easier to apply, requiring little to no prep work. In addition, it offers many specialty effects that liquid paint can’t achieve.
Paint, on the other hand, requires sanding, stripping and priming before application. It’s also less flexible than powder coating.
A lot of people ask which is better, coating or paint powder. The answer depends on a number of factors, such as the durability and flexibility of the product.
Resin and curing agents are the main ingredients in powder coating, which are mainly epoxy resins or polyesters with various cross-linkers to increase toughness and durability. Dicyandiamide and primid curing agents are also used for some coatings.
Other important ingredients include additives for flow out and levelling, degassing and anti-sag properties. These add to the performance and lifespan of powder coatings, as they help prevent pinholes in the final finish.
The powder coating process uses an electrostatic gun to saturate the object with an electric charge, which causes the dry powder to fuse with the surface. The resulting coating is then baked in a curing oven to form a strong and durable finish.