Benefits of Powder Coating Pipes and Fencing
Powder coating is a type of dry coating, which is applied in the form of a dry powder. The main difference between powder coating and standard liquid paint is that the powder coating does not need a solvent to keep the binder, fillers, pigments, extenders and resin in a liquid form. This leads to a more environmentally friendly process.
The normal application process for this environmentally friendly powder coating is via the electrostatic charge method (the paint is sprayed and a charge applied to the powder cloud) after which it is cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a 'skin'.
Powder coating at Northpoint is used for coating metals such as steel fence components, gates, gate post's and other architectural structural steel components. The powder coating applied by Northpoint is available in a wide range of colours and when applied is much thicker than normal paint finishes.
The life expectancy of a powder coating applied by Northpoint is 25 years (subject to terms and conditions).
6 Advantages of Powder Coating
- Powder coatings do not emit (many) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and therefore have a much reduced impact on the environment.
- 'Overspray' from powder coating can be recycled and so almost all of the coating materials can be used.
- Powder coating production lines produce less hazardous waste than standard liquid coatings.
- A significantly thicker coating film is produced using powder coating than would be when using conventional liquid coatings.
- Powder coated items tend to look similar regardless of whether the surface was coated horizontally or vertically, with fewer visible differences than those painted in standard liquid paint.
- A wide range of speciality effects are easily accomplished using environmentally friendly powder coating, which would be impossible to achieve with alternative coating processes.
Powder Application Process
The powder application method that is used most often is to spray the powder using an electrostatic (Corona) gun. The object being sprayed is grounded, attracting the positively charged powder. The item is then heated and the powder melts into a uniform film which is then cooled to form a hard coating.
Another method used for applying powder coating is called the fluidised bed method (which Northpoint use for coating pipes and other components normally used in water treatment facilities). The components are pre-heated and dipped into an aerated powder filled bed. The powder sticks to the component, melts and cures from the residual heat in the component. This method is generally used where desired coating thicknesses are 300 microns or more.
Curing of Powder Coatings
When a thermoset powder is exposed to elevated temperatures, it melts, flows out and then chemically reacts to form a higher molecular weight polymer in a network type structure. The cure process (crosslinking) requires a certain temperature for a specific length of time in order that it reaches full cure and establishes all of the properties of the coating.
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Downloads- Bakeware Fabrication facilities development soon to be completed
- Northpoint have developed industrial bakeware manufacturing capabilities.
- Investment in the Management Team
- Northpoint have recently upgraded the FBE processing cranes to facilitate a maximum SWL of 5 Tonnes and up-to 6.4m in length
- Northpoint appointed as the preferred powder coatings supplier for the Huddersfield Christian Fellowships "Tree of Life"