dimanche 25 décembre 2016

For Powder Coat Los Angeles Should Be Prioritized

By Larry Collins


Powder coating as the name suggests is a kind of coating that is applied as a free-flowing powder in dry form. Unlike traditional liquid paints that need a solvent medium to keep them in liquid suspension form, this coating does not need a solvent. The filler and binder parts of the coating remain in dry form. When in need of service companies that specialize in powder coat Los Angeles is the best place to check out.

The application of the powder is done through electrostatic means, before it is cured into place using heat. The curing allows the coating to flow freely and form a skin-like application over the surface. The finish that is created by this kind of coating is usually tougher than the one provided by conventional paints. There are two main kinds of coatings in existence, that is, thermoset polymer and thermoplastic.

Because of a lack of a liquid carrier, thicker applications can be achieved easily. The applications can be very thick and they do not run or sag. One can apply the coating horizontally or vertically with very little difference between the two applications. The lack of difference between the two kinds of applications makes it hard to tell regions that are applied horizontally from the ones that are applied vertically.

The level of emission of volatile organic compounds in powder coating is very low. This is because there is no evaporation of carrier fluid. This makes these coatings more safer and healthier than conventional liquid paints. The use of these coatings also allows for application of several powder colors before finally curing them all together. This allows for color blending and incorporation of special effects within a single layer.

The range of the particle size of most powder coatings in existence today lie between 30 to 50 microns. The softening temperature is 80 degrees Celsius while the melting temperature is 150 degrees Celsius. Two-hundred degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for curing. The duration for curing varies from one application to another, but lies between 10 and 15 minutes. How thick the application is often determines how long the curing will be done.

Adequate surface preparation is necessary before the actual powder coating. The process of surface preparation involves removing unwanted materials such as metal oxides, welding scales, dust, dirt, oil, and lubrication greases. Surface preparation can be done using mechanical or chemical methods. The type of method to be used is usually dependent on the size and material of the surface being coated.

Chemical treatment involves spraying the surface or submerging it in chromates or phosphates. Chemical pre-treatments are done in multiple stages that involve degreasing, etching, and de-smutting. The final chromating or phosphating of the substrate is done in various rinses. Pre-treatment of the surface serves two major purposes. First, it cleans the surface and secondly, it improves the bond between the coating and the surface.

The toxicity of chromates to the environment has prompted better methods for pre-treatment to be developed. In effect, silanes, zirconium, and titanium are now being used to replace chromates. These substances offer the same results while being harmless to the environment.




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