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What
Is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is an advanced method of applying a decorative and
protective finish to a wide range of materials and products that are used
by both industries and consumers. The powder used for the process is a
mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is sprayed
onto a surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the
electrically grounded surfaces until heated and fused into a smooth
coating in a curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable, high-quality,
and attractive finish. Powder coating is the fastest-growing finishing
technology in North America.
What Are The Advantages Of
Powder Coating?
More
Durable
Powder coating gives consumers, businesses, and industries one of the most
economical, longest-lasting, and most color-durable quality finishes
available. Powder coated surfaces are more resistant to chipping,
scratching, fading, and wearing than other finishes. Color selection is
virtually unlimited with high and low gloss, metallic, and clear finishes
available. Colors stay bright and vibrant longer. Texture selections
range from smooth surfaces to a wrinkled or matte finish, and rough
textures designed for hiding surface imperfections. Powder coating is
superior to liquid paint, anodizing, PVDF and Kynar500®.
Protects
the Environment
Powder coating is also highly protective of our environment. While
liquid finishes contain solvents which have pollutants known as volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), powder coating contains no solvents and releases
negligible amounts, if any, of VOCs into the atmosphere. Thus, there is no
longer
 a
need for finishers to buy costly pollution control equipment. In addition,
most powder coating over spray that does not adhere to the part can be
retrieved and reused, virtually eliminating the waste commonly found in
liquid finishing processes.
Saves
Money
Elimination of VOCs and reduction of wastes saves money and helps
companies comply more easily and economically with the regulations of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In fact, one of the major
elements in expanding the market for powder coating has been the
implementation over the past 30 years of stringent air pollution control
legislation.
Where
Is Powder Coating Used?
Appliances
The appliance industry benefits from powder coating on front and
side panels of ranges and refrigerators, washer tops and lids, dryer
drums, air-conditioner cabinets, water heaters, dishwasher racks, and
cavities of microwave ovens. Powder coating has also replaced porcelain
enamel on many washer and dryer parts.
Automotive
The automotive industry uses powder coating on wheels, bumpers,
hubcaps, door handles, decorative
trim, accent parts, truck beds, radiators, filters, and numerous engine
parts. A clean powder topcoat has been developed to protect auto bodies.
BMW and Volvo are using it on their new model cars, and GM, Ford, and
Chrysler have formed a consortium to test this technique on their
production lines.
Architecture/Building
Nowhere else are the benefits of architectural powder coating more evident
than on the thousands of commercial, industrial, government, residential,
historic and institutional buildings from around the world. For 30 years,
powder coating has been the finish of choice for a superior, more
colorful, longer lasting and more durable finish. Powder coating is
preferred because of its durability, scratch resistance, gloss retention,
UV stability, resistance to chalking, the unlimited range of colors,
finishes, glosses and textures.
Everyday
Products
There are also innumerable everyday uses for powder coated products such
as lighting fixtures, antennas, and electrical components. Farmers
have powder coated tractors and farm equipment. Fitness buffs use
golf clubs and golf carts, ski poles and bindings, snowmobiles, bicycles,
and exercise equipment that are powder coated. Shop owners have
powder coated display racks, shelves, store fixtures, and vending
machines. Office workers use metal furniture, computer cabinets,
mechanical pencils and pens, thumbtacks, and other desk accessories that
are powder coated. Parents have powder coated baby strollers, cribs,
metal toys, and wagons. Home owners have lawn mowers, snow blowers,
barbecue grills, patio furniture, garden tools, electronic components,
bathroom scales, tool boxes, and fire extinguishers which all benefit from
a powder coated finish.
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