Powder coating is an excellent option for adding a strong layer of protection to a wide range of materials. Powder coating provides long-lasting durability to tools, equipment and large surfaces and offers some additional aesthetic appeal to the coated surface or item.
However, not every type of item can be powder coated. There are certain types of materials with which powder coating simply does not mix.
What can you powder coat, and what sort of powder coating materials should you look into or stay away from?
Here’s a quick look at what you should know if investigating power coating as a solution for your next project, specifically regarding materials you should never attempt to powder coat:
- Wood: Wood will not be likely to withstand the temperatures needed to powder coat the surface. Powder coating also can only be performed on surfaces that are electrically conductive, and that is not always the case with wood. Even when using low-temperature processes and electrostatic types of wood, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), it’s unlikely you’re going to get great results. You’re better off finding a different solution for coating wood, such as polyurethane or other types of varnish.
- Plastics: Plastics are not able to come anywhere near tolerating the heat of the ovens used for powder coating—they’ll melt long before the oven reaches curing temperature. The lack of electrical charge also rules out powder coating as an option for the vast majority of plastic materials.
- Glass: With glass, you would need to perform some additional work to get the powder coating to stick. This might include adding a piece of metal on a side of the glass, but this method is not particularly reliable or effective. Plus, not all glass objects are capable of withstanding the temperatures needed to create high-quality powder-coated surfaces.
- Any other material without a charge: If you attempt to powder coat a surface that does not have an electrical charge, the spray will fail to stick to the object. You may be able to preheat certain types of items and perform the powder coating process while they’re still hot to increase the likelihood that the coating will stick, but the coating will then melt when it touches the object. This method can be difficult to perform well because then it becomes possible that you will use too much powder coating, which can compromise the integrity of the coating.
Powder coating is an excellent option for many types of materials, but it is not a solution to be used for any purpose. Certain types of materials simply were not meant to be powder coated. If you are uncertain whether your chosen material would withstand the powder coating process, you should be sure to consult with an expert before you decide to invest in coating.
For more information about the powder coating process, its benefits and the types of materials that can and cannot be coated, get in touch with the team at Powder Vision Inc. today.