Powder for Surface Coatings?

The concept of finishing metallic surfaces by applying dry powders which, when fused, form continuous and integrated coatings, has developed steadily since its practical inception in the mid 1950’s. Initiallythermoplastic resins were employed, but within the lastthree decades thermosetting powders have been developed which open up a much wider field of use.

The increasing use of thermosetting powders has beennecessary because of the need to reduce air and waterpollution coupled with the fact that with today’s risingcosts of basic raw materials and labour, powder coating is often a viable commercial consideration when compared to conventional industrial liquid paints.

Some of the more obvious advantages of using thermosetting powders are:

• Ready for use

• Reduction in the fire risk as no solvent required

• No costly wastage of solvent : environmental cleanliness

• No effluent disposal problems

• No air pollution

• Reduced health hazard to operators

• Processing time reduced

• Economy in reduced energy requirements

• Superior film properties

• Damaged parts easily rectified

• Air requirements reduced : cost savings

• 95% powder utilization

• Controlled film thickness

• Wide range of coatings available

• Surface pretreatment