The technological advancements in Powder Coating Industry

The technological advancements in Powder Coating Industry

The powder coatings market is estimated to be about $12 billion and it represents about 12.5% of the industrial coatings market. The new advanced technology is helping the industry to grow and expand. Sustainability, low temperature cure and durability were the key factors since beginning and always acted as a seed to technological advancements.Read More Business News on our website.

Sustainability

There are many different ways to represent sustainability. There are obvious renewable resources like feedstocks made from plants, but there are also less obvious materials and processes that fall under the sustainability umbrella. Products that are cured at low temperatures, for instance, consume less energy and leave a smaller carbon footprint. Coatings that are more resistant to corrosion and UV damage save materials, energy, and labor. The following highlights some of the most recent sustainable powder coating innovations.

Low Temperature Cure

Another subgenre of sustainable products is low-temperature cure. The use of less energy to cure coatings lowers operating costs and reduces carbon emissions. The typical powder-cure time of 15 to 20 minutes at 190 to 200 °C is reduced to a more energy-efficient 10 to 15 minutes at 150 to 160 °C by major resin manufacturers.

Durability

Another aspect of sustainability is a coating’s longevity and, as a result, its durability. Field-applied coatings with high VOC content can be used to refresh or repaint products, which can be costly and labor-intensive. Furthermore, the expense of replacing and disposing of the item is antithetical to environmental stewardship if coating failure, such as severe corrosion, renders it inoperable. This is something that the powder coating industry is aware of, so it has developed technology that significantly extends the lifespan of coated assets. UV durability and corrosion resistance are the two powder approaches to coating longevity that are most frequently used. The market for high-performance architectural products for skyscrapers and other monumental buildings is well suited for hyper-durable powder coating technology.

The Advancements

Powder coating technology is experiencing a number of new developments. Supply chain issues are largely to blame for the sudden shift in curing agent usage. As businesses attempt to assist manufacturers in staying ahead of concerns regarding the spread of infectious viruses, new approaches to antimicrobial performance continue to develop. University research labs have discovered novel methods for bonding special-effect pigments to powder coatings. Surface profile characterization innovations are continuing to advance instrumentation techniques. Software that is more advanced and can fine-tune application parameters has advanced control technology for powder application equipment.

Hybrid powder coatings, which combine polyester resins with solid epoxy resins as hardeners, are the specialty of this coating category. They are the first choice for smooth, matte, and textured finishes in all colors for all kinds of indoor applications due to their excellent adhesion, flexibility, resistance to corrosion, and chemical resistance. The technology of powder coating has undergone a revolution. Coating wood and other heat-sensitive substrates now offers the same high-quality and eco-friendly benefits that were previously only possible for metal. Because of its uniform surface and inherent conductivity derived from its moisture content, powder coating is an excellent choice for certain kinds of wood products and MDF. Powder coating provides the advantage of an even and long-lasting finish on all shapes and contoured edges as design concepts shift away from standard shapes and flat edges. This is ideal for cabinetry in modern kitchens, bathrooms, and office furniture.

UV Curing: The Best in Business

UV curing resins, like other powder coating resins, do not require the use of solvents, do not produce any volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and can be handled just like regular thermosetting powders during the formulation and application stages. UV curing powders’ melting and curing processes are distinct from those of conventional powders, which rely solely on temperature for both. The melting process can be best accomplished by IR irradiation at temperatures as low as 110°C in the first step following electrostatic application. The curing reaction does not increase viscosity during the melting process, resulting in significantly improved flow. Within a few seconds, UV light exposure results in the cure. UV curing powders are a desirable alternative to other low bake systems due to their increased productivity and smaller coating line footprint. Clear coats and pigmented powders for indoor and outdoor applications can be coated with solutions based on UV-curing powder coating resins. The application window will undoubtedly be extended further in the future by the curing of this group of unsaturated binders using UV-LED, Laser, and Electron-Beam (EB) light.