Benefits of Using Powder Coating in Fabrication Industry

Arguably, the metal fabrication industry is among the most vital industries in the age of civilization. Why? Because every aspect of life virtually benefits from it. Whether it is in household appliances, metal doors and windows, assembly of car parts or equipment attachments, fabrication is simply a key process.

The problem with fabrication however is that raw metals have many disadvantages. They easily corrode, erode, and from exposure to rain and salts, they scratch often, and they wear out after long periods. To protect these metals from these conditions, fabricators must therefore apply a reliable and proper finishing.

Among the types of finishing used in Fabrication, Powder Coating is most preferred due to its efficiency, durability, and its desirable end-user product appearance. But just what is Powder Coating?

What is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a type of finishing that electrostatically applies powder coatings on a metal substrate. The powder coatings, which are made from grounded particles of pigment and resin, are first melted and then cooled. After cooling, the powder is applied to the metal substrate using Electrostatic Spray Deposition (ESD) and then the product is entered into a curing oven where the coating forms strong uniform molecular chains that act as a finishing to the metal. 

Benefits of Powder Coating in Fabrication

There are many benefits of powder coating in fabrication and they include:

• Efficiency

Because Powder Coating uses Electromagnetism to apply and hold the powder coating on metals, it requires less effort, time and there is little or no waste of the materials used in the process.

Furthermore, due to the ability to spray other layers of coating onto existing ones without waiting for each coat to dry first, the curing and drying process of powder coating takes a really short time (approximately ten minutes) hence saves time and money used in operating costs.

This is unlike other types of coating like liquid coating that need an average of one hour to be cured before the assembly process and for the assembled parts to be left overnight to allow it dry sufficiently before packaging.

• Durability

The strong long molecular chains formed during the curing process of powder coating play a huge rule in ensuring the finishing of the fabricated metal is strong and durable.

Also, for metals like steel that easily rust and corrode when continually exposed to harsh elements, powder coating, which is resistant to corrosion and rust, comes in handy. It not only makes products made from steel fabrication last longer but also more flexible.

• Cost-Effective

Since materials used in powder coating are relatively cheap and can be purchased in accordance with the job at hand, the cost of powder coating services is friendly to both the customer and the fabricator.

Also, because of the strong durability of the Finishing and the less time spent in the curing and drying stages, the coating hardly requires additional maintenance and operating costs.

• Environmentally Friendly

Unlike other Finishing processes like liquid coating and electroplating that use Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to the environment, Powder coating only makes use of VOC-free dry powder.

Moreover, the spraying process involved in the application of powder coating in metal fabrications generally produces minimal waste to the environment. It is therefore easy to see why powder coating is preferred especially with industries that value Eco-friendly methods.

• Versatility and Customization

In terms of Versatility, Powder Coating has a wide range of functionality. Apart from being used to protect metals from harsh elements, it can also be used to improve the general aesthetic of a product and to increase the flexibility of a material.

When it comes to customization, powders used in powder coating come in different textures and different colours that allow the customer to customize their product according to their taste. Whether they want a clear matte for their cars and other vehicles, or a glossy feel to their household appliances, powder coating will take care of their needs.

Final Thoughts

There is no denying that when it comes to finishing, Powder coating outperforms most methods. It increases the durability of the materials, it is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, it is environmentally friendly, and most importantly, it can be applied to a wide range of materials (not only metals), provided the materials can handle the electromagnetism used.

About the Author

Patrick Watt is a content writer, writing in several areas, primarily in business growth, value creation, M&A, and finance. Other interests also include content marketing and self-development. Say hi to Patrick on Twitter @patrickwattpat.