The powder coating process is nearly identical to that of liquid paint.
The one glaring exception is that the paint being used is a dry powder, not a liquid.
We all know that paint is sticky and full of solvents that help attach it to the piece being painted as it is being applied, but how does a dry powder stick to a part anyway?
Electricity is the answer.
The part that is to be powder coated is electrically grounded and the powder that is being applied is electrostatically charged.
This causes the powder when propelled at the part to be attracted to the part at deposited in a thin even layer.
Layers can be built up to a specified thickness.
It’s almost like magic!
(But it’s not really magic, it’s science!)
Powder Coating Advantages
Several advantages of powder coating over traditional liquid paints are:
- Unused powder can be collected for reuse in the future, making it more cost effective than liquid paint application.
- There are no volatile organic compounds (VOC) generated in the powder coating process, so there are no need to recapture them. Thus powder coating is safer for the environment than liquid paint.
- Powder coating is more durable and impact resistant than liquid paint.
Steps in Powder Coating Process
There are several steps in the powder coating process.
First the part must be thoroughly cleaned or the powder will not adhere correctly to the substrate.
At Arizona Finishing, our new state-of-the-art powder/paint line includes a five-stage wash system which not only cleans the parts thoroughly but also etches them with zirconium crystals to make powder adhere like glue to the part.
After the part is cleaned and dried it proceeds to the paint application booth where the powder is applied to the desired thickness.
Once the powder has been applied, it needs to be baked in a cure over for around thirty minutes.
Once the part is cool to the touch the part is then ready to be used or proceed to the next step in the manufacturing process.
Arizona Finishing located in a Tempe, Arizona operates a brand new state-of-the-art powder, liquid and electrostatic coating facility and caters to industrial manufacturing clients.
By adding value added services such as metal silk screening, clean room product assembly and custom packaging, we are truly a one-stop metal finishing shop.
See how Arizona Finishing can become a valued part of your company’s supply chain, contact our sales department for a free quote today!