The Powder Coating Process

Because of its durability, industrial powder coating tends to be the first choice when deciding on a product finish. When you consider the other advantages, such as cheaper cost, it’s simple to see why powder coating has grown so popular. Items that are difficult to coat due to their distinctive shape or size will be assigned to our experienced, professional operators guaranteeing that even the most complex projects are completed to the same standard. Powder coatings are composed of polymer resin systems that have been mixed with curatives, colours, levelling agents, flow moderators, and other additives. These components are blended, chilled, and ground into a fine powder with a texture comparable to flour before beginning the coating process. Before applying powder to an item, it must first be treated to eliminate any debris or rust on the surface. During our powder coating process, we employ a phosphate wash to thoroughly remove everything from the outside while neutralising the PH and preparing the metal for the powder. Electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) is used in our powder coating process to adhere the powder to the metal substrate. This is done with our high-tech spray cannons, which deliver an electrostatic charge to the powder particles, drawing them to the metal’s grounded surface. The item is then cured once the powder has been applied. The addition of heat in our powder coating technique allows the coating to melt and chemically react, resulting in lengthy molecular chains with a high cross-link density. These chains are resistant to breakdown, which is why powder coated objects are so long-lasting. When we are completely satisfied that our products meet your specifications, they will be properly packaged for shipping.

What is Powder Coating ?

Powder coating is a type of dry finishing, where a thin layer of polyester or epoxy powder is applied to an object with the use of a gun, and then baked into a hard finish, using an electric charge, until it is uniformly smooth. It’s typically utilized to provide a strong finish that lasts longer than paint. Powder coating outperforms wet paint because it forms a stronger bond during curing, making it more resistant to chipping, scratching, and other forms of wear.

How Our Powder Coating Process Works ?

The Powder

Powder coatings are comprised of polymer resin systems, combined with curatives, pigments, leveling agents, flow moderators and other additives. Prior to beginning the powder coating process, these components are mixed, cooled, and ground into a fine powder, with a similar texture to flour.

Pre Application

Before an item can undergo the powder application it must first be treated to remove any debris and rust on the surface. At Atlantic Powder Coating, we use a phosphate wash during our powder coating process, which effectively removes anything from the exterior whilst neutralizing the PH and priming the metal for the powder.

The Application

Our powder coating process uses electrostatic spray deposition (ESD), to adhere the powder to the metal substrate. This is carried out using our high-tech spray guns, which apply an electrostatic charge to the powder particles, attracting them to the grounded surface of the metal.

Curing

Once the powder has been applied, the item then undergoes the curing process. This is where the addition of heat in our powder coating process causes the coating to ‘melt’ and chemically react to produce long molecular chains, resulting in high cross-link density. These chains are resistant to breakdown, which is what makes powder coated products so durable.

The Benefits of Powder Coating

Compared to traditional wet paint methods, powder coating can offer incredible benefits for the item

Durable

Powder coating is resistant to chips, dings and corrosion and abrasions.

Versatile Applications

Can withstand extreme weather conditions and harsh environments and is used in a wide variety of industries.

Environmentally Friendly

Powder coating releases less hazardous waste and harmful gases (VOCs) into the atmosphere, and with our state of the art paint recycling feature, the paint overflow is reduced and our waste is drastically minimized. 

Time Efficient

Without having to wait days for the paint to dry, items that are powder coated are ready to go immediately after the curing process

To find out more about how we use this process to provide clients with exceptionally high-quality finished items, contact our team here.