These days, it seems like powder coating is all the rage. It’s becoming increasingly popular to protect goods and products using the hard, colorful and glossy shell that results from a powder coating process. Powder coating in Washington is also a cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to decorate and protect objects, especially when compared with liquid paints and aerosols.
Its recent explosion in popularity may lead you to believe that powder coating is a somewhat recent phenomenon. In fact, powder coating dates back more than half a century, and is a tried and true technology with wide-ranging practical applications.
Powder coating’s past
The earliest iteration of powder coating dates back to the 1940s, when polymer powders were flame-sprayed onto metals during certain industrial processes. In the middle of the century, Dr. Erwin Gemmer, a scientist in Germany, discovered that it was more efficient to apply powders when they were suspended in the air in a fluidized state. He developed the fluidized bed process to make this possible.
In 1960, a scientist in Amsterdam, Pieter de Lange, developed thermoset powder coatings and an electrostatic application process. This largely led to the powder coating process that we know and use today. The electric spray method proliferated in industrial applications between 1962 and 1964.
Powder coating applications
Today, powder coating technology is a widely used industrial process recognized for its convenience, effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Here are just a few of the most common powder coating applications:
- Vending machines: Powder coating is exceptionally durable, making it ideal for vending machines that spend extended periods of time outdoors, exposed to the elements. It’s able to handle much harsher environments than liquid paints.
- Microwaves: Polymers don’t heat up, making them an ideal choice for use on most microwaves. Additionally, powder coating is non-toxic, even when heated, making it completely safe to use in close proximity to food.
- Antennas: Because polymers aren’t conductive, powder coating is an ideal process to use on antennas, satellite dishes and more. Powder coating possesses just the right chemical makeup and durability to catch signals and withstand the tests of time.
- Cribs: Most liquid and aerosol paints are highly toxic and easily chipped. That’s why many baby cribs are made using powder coating, which is non-toxic and exceptionally durable. It’s nearly impossible for even the tiniest fingers to penetrate.
Since 1997, Powder Vision Inc. has been a trusted provider of powder coating in Washington. We offer comprehensive powder coating services for residential, commercial and institutional clients throughout the Evergreen State. We’re capable of powder coating everything from lawn furniture to signage and boat components.
We’re capable of taking your products through every step of the powder coating process, from sandblasting to phosphate wash to applying the final coat. We work extensively with our clients, and offer a wide range of colors and powder types for you to choose from. To learn more about our powder coating capabilities, or to see if we can powder coat your items, reach out to one of our friendly representatives today.