Powder Coating Surface Preparation

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Many powder-coating failures are determined to be caused by a lack of a suitable surface preparation.

As there are so many various products and surfaces that are coated it is not possible to coat all products and surfaces the same way. However, what is critical is that all surfaces are prepared to coating standards and requirements to ensure that your job will turn out perfectly.

There is a huge variety of materials that are coated each year and it is critical that each surface or material is pre-treated differently. The correct pre-treatment of metal prior to any powder coating process is fundamental to virtually guaranteeing the quality of the powder coating finish that has been ordered. Powder coating is the adhesion of colour particles to surfaces and for a successful coating outcome the surface to be coated needs to be in pristine condition. This surface requirement is required in order to bind the coating to the surface and provide the benefits to the product that is needed in the finish.

As an example, aluminium surfaces preparation usually entails a four-stage preparation process of cleaning, etching, chromating or phosphate dipping and rinsing.

The first stage of cleaning involves the removal of any oils and greases that have built up on the surface using a neutral detergent.

The second stage of preparation is the etching stage that removes heavy oxides.

The third stage of surface preparation is chromate or phosphate dipping to form a conversion coating. There are two purposes for conversion coating in that it provides a surface to the powder that is acceptable to powder particle traction and at the same reducing the probability of corrosion.

The fourth and final stage is the final rinse in demineralized water.

There is also the one-step organic phosphating pre-treatment process for metal surfaces that uses no heat, uses no water and does not generate solid or liquid wastes. This technology was developed in Italy in the 1980's by Dr Gianluigi Guidetti. The objective was to develop a more environmentally friendly pre-treatment process for metal surfaces.

The basis of this technology is a single step, no-rinse or spray at ambient temperatures. The part is treated for approximately 90 seconds in a liquid that is then removed through dripping or blown off and dried. Then the part is able to powder coated successfully.

Hence, in summary it is critical that you discuss your project with your provider to ensure that the necessary pre-treatment steps have been taken correctly.


About the Author:
Morel Hudson is a marketing consultant who assists Vertikote Powder Coating in publishing information. Vertikote is one of Australia's leading and oldest powder coating companies providing outstanding quality surface finishes.
For more information on vertikote powder coating visit http://www.vertikote.com.au



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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