Black Powder Coating
Surface finishOne of the most preferred surface treatment techniques in the rapid prototyping industry is powder coating which provides improved physical and mechanical characteristics to the custom machined parts. This coating technique which has its origin from the early development of powder metallurgy has received a lot of acceptance in the recent past. It is widely utilized in the modern industry because of the following advantages: high corrosion protection, fine surface finish, and long-enduring, eco-friendly impact. This article will take a closer look at the various kinds of powder coating, how the process is done, and some useful tips for a perfect powder coating. This is where you will find all your answers concerning black chrome powder coating, and sprays. What Is Black Powder Coating Finish? Powder coating is a process of applying dry powder on the surface of the material and then using heat to set it. The powder that is employed can be thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer powder. This method forms a strong and long-lasting layer which is stronger than the liquid varnish and ideal for use on plastic, glass, and metal. Powder coating is usually done by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) or fluidized bed technique. Both methods provide high gloss, different kinds of surface, a wide range of color and high quality of the surface. Because of these characteristics, powder coating is applied in many industries such as medical, architectural, automotive, fiberboard avionics, and many others. The Different Types of Powder Coatings Another effective painting technique that provides a very good and quite a durable coat is called powder coating. Whether you are a first time user of powder coatings or you have been using it for a long time, you will find it very strong and versatile. It remains the same from having one spray gun and a small oven to running a large line with automation. Here’s how it works: A powder spray gun is used to spray the powder particles and at the same time charges them with an electrostatic charge. The grounded areas draw the charged powder on it to ensure that an even layer of the powder is achieved. After the powder application, the parts are taken to an oven where the powder melts and fuses to the surface giving the part a hard, scratch resistant, and aesthetically appealing surface. It is mostly used on metals and for this reason it is very useful. Some of the areas that apply black powder coating spray paint are the industrial parts, medical equipment, architectural structures, automobiles, bicycles, home appliances, furniture, enclosures, trailers, and lighting among others. The possibilities are endless! Powder coatings are of different types; and each type has its own features and uses. The type of powder to be used should be chosen before the color to be used is chosen. It is, therefore, necessary that one knows the characteristics of the different types of powders to be able to get the best outcomes. The last advantage of powder coatings is that it does not have solvent at all in its formulation. This means no organic volatile compounds or VOCs are emitted, making powder coatings safer to apply, to get rid of and to ship than liquid paints. This is a green factor that has a lot of advantages to the environment for both the user and the customer. Epoxies Epoxies were the first powders in the market and are still widely used due to their high level of hardness. They provide excellent hardness and are reported to have better chemical and corrosion resistance than the other available powders. Another benefit of epoxy powders is that they are easy to apply and are available in many cure schedules. Epoxies cure very well on metals particularly when the metal has been prepared by methods like phosphate coating and sand blasting. However, one of the main disadvantages of epoxy powders is their rather low resistance to the effects of natural factors. Epoxies when left exposed to the outdoor environment turn to fade and chalk under the sun and the surface turns bad within few months. This limitation makes epoxies more appropriate for interior use where they are protected from the UV light. However, due to high adhesion and good corrosion resistance, many primers are based on epoxies. When applied as a base coat to another type of paint they offer a strong base, utilizing their advantages but at the same time minimizing their vulnerability to sunlight. Polyesters Polyesters are the most popular powders in powder coating since they are cheap and can be used in most applications. There are two main types: TGIC and TGIC-free, called ‘Primid’ In general, both types have good mechanical properties such as flexibility and impact strength, and good chemical resistance. Polyester powders also have the advantage of low curing temperatures, which makes them ideal for use on items that cannot be exposed to high temperatures. Polyesters also do not overbake and do not yellow and are easy to apply on different surfaces. Standard polyesters have UV resistance of 1-3 years and are used for indoor applications as well as some outdoor applications. Another essential aspect of polyester powders is the ability to vary the color, gloss and the special effects, which makes the list almost endless. Owing to their good general characteristics, polyesters are used most often in various coating processes. Fluoropolymers In architectural uses, fluoropolymers are chosen for their high resistance to weathering, excellent color stability, and high surface gloss. They are highly appreciated in exterior applications like curtain walls, windows, and doors. The two main types of powder coatings that are commonly used are FEVE and PVDF. PVDF fluoropolymers always need a primer, either a liquid or powder and are difficult to bond when developing metallic powders. The FEVE resins are much more preferred by the powder coating fraternity due to their exterior durability in a single coat. FEVE based fluoropolymer metallics are developed to achieve uniform dispersion of metallic particles in the powder so that










