When To Choose Powder Coating for Your Industrial Coating Needs

Powder coating produces a durable, smooth, and appealing finish for part surfaces and equipment. It is one of many industrial coating methods commonly used by manufacturers to increase the sturdiness and longevity of their manufactured components. While all coating techniques have advantages, powder coating is more effective and favorable in many cases.

This article will dive into what sets powder coating apart from other coating techniques and when to apply it to your project.

Industrial Coating Best Applications

Materials able to withstand 400 °F can be powder coated, including thermoplastics or thermosets. This is one of the reasons manufacturers prefer this method over others.

Powder coating offers the following advantages:

Defense Against Moisture

Powder coating can protect against many environmental stressors, including moisture. It reduces the likelihood of rust and corrosion by keeping moisture from penetrating your metal equipment. Powder coating is the best option for manufacturers who want their equipment to be completely protected.

Fast Application

Liquid finishes such as paint require time to dry and set. This is a significant con for many companies looking to expedite their operations to increase product turnout and revenue. Thus, quickly applying the coating is one of the main advantages of selecting powder coating. This technique also allows easy reapplication to cover spots missed during the first coating layer.

Eco-Friendliness

Several industrial coating types call for using chemicals and solvents that require strict disposal methods to prevent environmental harm. Violating these protocols can result in fees and legal problems for manufacturers. Meanwhile, powder coating is environmentally friendly, allowing businesses to adhere to EPA rules without hassle.

Moreover, powder coatings generate substantially less waste than traditional liquid coatings and hydrographic printing techniques.

Other Industrial Coating Options and Their Applications

Before selecting powder coating for your project, it is crucial to first understand the other types of industrial coatings and how they differ. This will allow you to acknowledge the pros and cons of powder coating and asses how suitable it is for your application.

Painting

Paint coatings are cheaper upfront than powder coating, making them the practical choice for low-volume and non-intricate applications. However, this technique doesn’t offer the durability of powder coating, so it may still cost more money to tend to repairs in the future.

Thermal Spraying

Paint and powder coating are effectively combined in the thermal spray method. When a type of paint is sprayed, a heat source and high-pressure applicator help the paint adhere to the part more effectively. Metals and plastics can both be treated using thermal spray.

Anodizing

In the anodizing process, the aluminum surface is made to oxidize quickly rather than being coated with another substance. The process thickens the metal’s protective natural oxide layer and prevents damage to the core.

Hot Dip Galvanizing

In hot dip galvanizing, the process requires a vessel filled with molten zinc wherein iron or steel will be dipped. Some iron and steel components — such as exposed steel nuts and bolts — can be given a protective layer of zinc, which resists rust and corrosion better than paint or powder coating. However, this may not be the ideal process for large-volume projects.

Phosphating

A comparable substitute for galvanizing is phosphorating. Here, metal components are submerged in an acid bath with metals dissolved in them. The acid encourages the dissolved metals to cling to the part and form a shielding layer.

Farris: Your Trusted Partner for All Industrial Powder Coating Needs

With over 40 years of precision fabrication experience under our belt, we at Farris offer start-to-finish contract manufacturing services that exceed customer expectations. We provide industrial powder coating solutions alongside our fabrication, machining, and prototyping services.

Contact us to request a consultation or to learn more about our industrial coating services.