POWDER COATING ARTICLE 6

The Pros and Cons of Powder Coating

What is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a type of application done by spraying a free-flowing, dry powder onto parts. The parts are then sent through an oven and the powder is heated or cured to create a skin like layer. It is different from a traditional wet paint application in that there is not a solvent that binds the coating together and suspends it in a liquid form. Instead the powder is electro statically charged and typically applied with a powder spray gun.

The Benefits

The powders used do not emit any volatile organic compounds or VOC's which make it better for the environment and safer for the end user. The coating can be applied thicker than the traditional liquid coatings without the sagging or running effect. The overspray can be reused if a cartridge booth is utilized. In effect that system allows the user to achieve almost 100% use of the coating. The overall cost of operating and purchasing the equipment for a powder coating system is less than the traditional liquid lines. Lastly, it is more versatile and allows for more specialty effects over the liquid coating option.

The Negative

Although the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of powder coating there are still some limitations on the technology. Thick coatings are easily applied and portray a smooth surface but thinner coatings tend to appear with a rougher, golf ball like surface. Second the coatings tend to break down after 5 to 10 years of uv ray exposure.

The Bottom Line

Powder Coating is the emerging force for the coating industries. More and more companies are switching from the liquid paint lines to powder for cost effectiveness, safety, and overall performance.

For more information on this subject or if you are interested in starting your own coating business please visit www.jacksonoven.com

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Below: Powder Coating Colours available from Vistaplan Arand