How Fabricators Ensure Uniformity in Powder Coats

22 June 2016
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog

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Powder coating provides superior protection to metal surfaces due to its superior adherence to the surface of the metal. However, this protection can only be possible if the powder coat has been applied uniformly over the surface of the component. This article discusses some of the measures that fabricators may take to ensure that the components that you order have a uniform powder coat layer. Use this information to ask the fabricator to explain the specific measures that he or she will take while processing your order so that it has no powder coating defects.

Thorough Cleaning

Powder coating may involve electrically charging the powder so that it bonds with the surface of the metal onto which it has been applied before the powder-curing process begins. Any contaminant on the surface of the metal, such as oil or rust, can affect the ability of the powder to cling onto the metal. This can cause the affected part to have less powder coating than other parts that were free from such surface contaminants. Fabricators can prevent this problem from occurring by dipping the fabricated component in a chemical bath so that all surface impurities are removed before powder coating begins. This will ensure that the powder coat will be uniform throughout the surface of the metal.

Ensuring Uniform Part Thickness

The component moulding process may result in some parts of the part being thicker than other parts. Such variations in component dimensions can cause powder-coating defects. This is because the thinner sections may heat or cool quickly in comparison to the thick area. That difference in temperature may affect how well the powder coat cures on the different parts of the components. Fabricators can take steps, such as induction bending, to make sure that the thickness of components remains uniform after fabrication has been completed. This will ensure that the component will react in the same way to powder coating procedures, such as heating the part in an oven in order to cure the powder coat.

Machining Inconsistencies

Components that are machined or milled may not have the same degree of surface smoothness. Those subtle differences in smoothness may result in inconsistencies in the powder coat applied. This is because rough areas may provide a better surface for the powder coat to adhere to when compared to very smooth areas. Fabricators can eliminate this source of defects by using a sanding tool to ensure that the surface of the component has a uniform degree of smoothness before powder coating begins.

As you can see, many steps can be taken to ensure that the industrial equipment components that you order will have a uniform powder coat. You should therefore have no misgivings about the reliability of the fabrication and powder coating process. Contact a powder coating professional for advice in case you have any other queries about the powder coating process.