In the modern world of manufacturing and fabrication, powder coating has emerged as a valuable way to enhance the durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal of many products.
Powder coatings can protect materials from rust and decay, transform the appearance of components, and even offer an eco-friendlier and more economical alternative to traditional industrial coatings.
However, to get the most value from your powder coating solution, you first need to know the different types of coating that are available, and the unique use cases they serve.
Today, we’re going to explore the most common types of powder coating options available to businesses, along with tips that can help you make the right choice.
What is Powder Coating? An Introduction
Powder coating is a dry finishing solution, created by an electric charge applied to dry powder on a composite’s surface. The electric charge causes the powder to fuse to the surface of a component, before the product is placed into a curing oven, ensuring a robust and even protective layer.
Compared to other finishing options, such as liquid paint, the powder coating process has a number of distinct benefits. The lack of a liquid carrier means a powder coating can produce thicker protective layers than conventional alternatives, without running or sagging.
Additionally, powder coating offers an excellent combination of aesthetic appeal and durability. Powder coats aren’t prone to chips and scratches, like liquid paint. They also offer an innate level of corrosion resistance, ideal for improving the longevity of metal products.
Additionally, the wide range of powder coating solutions available allow customers to access vibrant finishes in a range of colors, textures, and styles, to suit any purpose. While all types of powder coating can offer enhanced durability, corrosion resistance and versatility, different styles of powder have their own unique benefits and capabilities to consider.
The 6 Common Types of Powder Coating
In the industrial landscape, solutions are constantly evolving. The right powder coating company will help you to choose the ideal type of powder for your specific situation. Here are some of the most common types of coatings available from powder coating specialists.
Epoxies
Epoxy powder coating options are a common choice in the industrial landscape, particularly for use on components with a metal surface. They benefit from exceptional resistance to corrosion and chemicals, and fantastic durability. Epoxies excel in the worlds of industrial equipment, appliance development, and the automotive industry.
Epoxy powder coatings are excellent for companies searching for strong adherence and resistance to damaging substances. However, some coatings can lose their vibrance and strength when regularly exposed to harsh weather conditions and UV light, making them less suitable for outdoor use.
Polyesters
Polyester powder coating options appeal to those in search of a unique aesthetic appeal. Polyester powders are available in a wide range of colors and styles. They’re also excellent at withstanding UV light, ensuring colors don’t drain and fade over time.
Polyester coatings are commonly used for products placed in outdoor locations, and in architectural design. They offer outstanding color retention, but they don’t always have the same impact resistance as other types of powder coatings.
Super Durable Polyesters
To address the limitations of standard polyester powder coatings, some organizations offer access to “super durable” alternatives. These options retain the vibrant color options of traditional polyester coatings, as well as their fantastic UV resistance. However, they’re also more effective at weathering exposure to harsh conditions.
Super durable polyester coatings appear frequently in building facades and signage, created for demanding outdoor environments. Though they offer a fantastic combination of longevity and aesthetic appeal, they can be more expensive than alternative coatings.
Epoxy-Polyester Hybrids
For those looking to combine the benefits of multiple types of powder coating finishes, Epoxy-polyester hybrids can be an excellent choice. They offer the chemical resistance and durability of epoxies, combined with the visual versatility of polyesters.
It’s common to find epoxy-polyester hybrid coatings in office furniture and general industrial landscapes. These coatings are highly durable and versatile, but they may not offer the same protections as standalone epoxy coatings, or super-polyester alternatives.
Fluoropolymers
Fluoropolymers have grown more popular in the world of thermoset coatings in recent years. They stand out from other types of powder coatings with exceptional weather resistance and chemical inertness. They’re particularly effective at resisting damage from solvents and acids.
Their exceptional longevity makes fluoropolymers a good choice for extreme environments, such as building exteriors and industrial components. However, the higher performance level of these coatings means they generally come at a higher cost.
Urethanes
Urethane powder coatings offer an excellent balance between aesthetics and durability, making them suitable for a wide range of use cases. They’re often used on agricultural and construction equipment, combining protective layers with fantastic visual appeal.
Urethanes are resistant to chalking and fading, but they can lack the high level of chemical and corrosion resistance offered by other, sturdier coating options.
Selecting the Best Powder Coating Type
Choosing the right powder coating type for your specific needs can be complex, but it’s also crucial. The powder particle you choose will determine everything from the long-term durability and longevity of a finished product to its visual appeal.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right powder coating for you will depend on factors like:
- Substrate compatibility: Not all powder coatings are intended for every substrate. You’ll need to ensure your chosen coating is compatible with your component, to guarantee a high level of adherence, and a long-lasting result.
- Environmental demands: Some powder coating types are more suitable for harsh, extreme, or outdoor environments than others. Considering where the component will be used or placed is crucial to ensuring you choose the correct coating.
- Performance requirements: Different powder coatings have different qualities that can influence their performance. Some are resistant to UV light, ensuring colors don’t fade over time, others are excellent at resisting chemical or corrosive damage.
- Aesthetic needs: While most powder coating solutions offer a range of finish options, some offer access to more vibrant long-lasting colors, or a wider range of textures. Consider your aesthetic preferences before making your choice.
- Budget constraints: Though it’s important not to cut corners when choosing the right type of powder coating, every business will have a budget to consider. The stronger, and more versatile your choice of coating, the more you’re likely to pay.
With so much to consider, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The easiest way to ensure you’re making the right choice, is to seek the guidance and help of a powder coating specialist. A company experienced in thermostatic powder coating options will help you to assess your needs, and make the right choice for your specific situation.
Quality Powder Coating with PCS
We know navigating the world of powder coating can be complex, particularly for beginners. Fortunately, the team at Powder Coating Services is here to ensure every business can make the right choice. We have years of experience completing commercial and industrial powder coating projects in a variety of industries, from the medical devices and agricultural landscape to the automotive sector.
Our expert team will work with you to assess the nature of your project, and guide you towards the best powder coating solution for your needs. We work hand-in-hand with our clients every step of the way, offering consistent support, and leading industry knowledge. What’s more, we even handle all aspects of the powder coating process, from prep-work, through to ongoing support.
Contact us today to discuss your powder coating project, and discover the solution best-suited to your business needs.