Unfinished fabricated metal tarnishes and corrodes when frequently exposed to various external elements. Proper finishing is critical in enhancing steel fabrication designs’ durability and longevity. Since its introduction in North America in the 1960s, the dry finishing process called powder coating has become extremely popular. It requires less equipment and application time, resulting in less rejected work than other finishing methods.
Powder coating is the process of applying a dry powdered paint compound. It’s made of pigments and resin and is electrostatically sprayed on a surface to form a painted finish. Typically, any metal object can be powder coated if it can tolerate the high levels of heat required by the curing process.
What Are the Benefits of Powder Coating?
So, why powder coat your steel fabrication designs? Let’s explore some of the advantages of powder coating.
Durability
Powder coating makes steel fabricated work more resistant to moisture, chemicals, UV light and other conditions. It reduces the risk of scratches, chipping, fading, corrosion and other signs of wear and tear. Powder coating is ideal for metal parts and equipment often exposed to sunlight, such as agricultural equipment, metal railings and automotive parts.
Another powder coating benefit is longevity. Powder coating improves the durability of metal parts, contributing to their longer life span.
Environmentally Friendly
Powder coating is more environmentally sound than liquid paints because it doesn’t contain solvents or harsh chemicals. It only contains dry powder, which creates a pollutant-free application process when sprayed from the gun to the metal surface. The powder coating’s electrostatic charge makes it adhere to the surface without solvents.
Another benefit of powder coating is the elimination of volatile organic compounds, which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, impact air quality and pose health risks.
Design
In addition to durability and eco-friendliness, powder coating offers design benefits. It’s available in various finishes, such as high gloss, semigloss and matte. The light-reflecting properties also allow color matching with all colors of the rainbow.
Moreover, the spray application creates uniformity in the appearance of powder-coated metal parts. Compared to liquid paint and other alternatives, powder coating is less likely to cause runs, bubbles or streaks. It also allows thicker coatings for steel fabrication projects while maintaining consistency, which plastic coating or dipping can’t easily achieve.
Low Cost
Powder coating is relatively easy to apply and dries quickly. The curing process doesn’t take long, leading to a shorter production time. The less laborious application also translates to less manual labor. It allows higher throughput, which helps reduce labor costs while boosting productivity.
The powder base has a long shelf life and can easily be stored in dry places without the risk of drying out or deteriorating, contributing to more cost savings.
Maintenance
Metal parts protected by powder coating require less maintenance and don’t need special cleaning. Light scrubbing and washing with water are enough to remove accumulated dirt and dust. This simple cleaning procedure does not affect the coating’s color, finish and performance.
Curing Time
Once applied, powder coating cures quickly, making the product ready for immediate use. This reduces labor and production costs and increases productivity for manufacturers.
Ensuring Quality Results
While powder coating is relatively easy to perform given the product’s sound consistency when melted, powder coat technicians must ensure they deliver quality results in every fabrication project. Key steps in the powder coating process include:
- Thorough cleaning and preparation: Surface preparation entails cleaning, rinsing and drying the product. This step removes contaminants, ensuring a smooth coating and proper adhesion.
- Powder coat application: Once the product surface is dry and contaminant-free, the technician begins the application process using a fluidized bed or an electrostatic spray deposition. Both methods evenly distribute the powder, producing a polished surface.
- Curing process: The process ends with curing, where the melted powder adheres to the metal. Curing duration varies depending on the coating and application method.
Common Powder Coating Applications
The durability and cost-efficiency of powder coating explain its popularity. The following markets and industries use powder coating:
- Outdoor furniture and equipment manufacturers
- Home appliance manufacturers
- Office equipment and cabinetry manufacturers
- Architectural component manufacturers
- Military equipment manufacturers
Get a Quote for Your Project
Considering these powder coating advantages, this added protection is a worthy investment for steel fabrication projects. Mid-Atlantic Steel Fabrication offers powder coating as a special add-on service for clients. We partner with powder coating specialists to ensure your steel fabrication projects get high-quality protection. Contact us today to request a quote for your project.