Metal powder coating

Surface Finish Options Overview

Based on the users’ pursuit of metal texture and effect, the market demand for metal powder is increasing. At present, the market mainly relies on paint with metal effect, which has high cost, soft coating hardness, low utilization rate, and the VOC emission of paint seriously pollutes the earth’s ecological environment and affects human health. With the continuous advancement of the national green development policy, environmental protection laws and regulations have been implemented in various places, and the wave of ”painting powder” has become a general trend.

Standard has accumulated more than ten years of technology and has continuously cooperated with advanced equipment suppliers and material suppliers at home and abroad. The bonding technology metal powder coating provided by Standard can provide users with solutions to replace paint. It is a green and environmentally friendly product that can achieve sustainable development of human beings and the environment.

Definition and classification of metal powder

Metallic effect powder coating, in simple terms, is a variety of powder coatings based on ordinary powder, through a mixing process, plus metal pigments (such as: silver aluminum powder, mica powder and copper gold powder, etc.), which can show a bright and luxurious decorative effect.

Metal powder bonding principle

The bonding technology of powder coatings and metallic pigments appeared in 1980, when a pigment company first launched this bonding process in continental Europe. Subsequently, European powder coating companies took the lead in successfully applying thermal bonding technology to the production of powder coatings.

Powder coating bonding technology is also called thermal bonding technology. It mainly uses friction heating or jacket heating to make the surface of powder particles have a certain viscosity, so that the metal effect pigment and the powder base powder are combined. Specifically, the bonding machine’ s stirring paddle rotates at high speed, so that the powders and the metal effect pigments, the powders and the bonding machine (stirring paddle, cylinder wall) collide and rub at high speed. Within a certain period of time, the surface temperature of the powder particles rises to a certain degree, the powder surface softens, and the metal effect pigment particles and the powder coating particles are bonded together.

FAQ

1. What is Powder Coating?

Powder coating is a dry finishing process used to apply a protective and decorative coating on metal or other surfaces. Instead of using liquid paint, fine powder particles (usually made of polyester, epoxy, or hybrid resins) are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto a conductive surface. The coated object is then baked in an oven, where the powder melts, flows, and cures into a smooth, durable finish.

Key features:

Durable, hard finish

Resistant to scratches, corrosion, and UV

Environmentally friendly (no VOCs)

2. Benefits of Powder Coating

Powder coating offers several advantages over traditional liquid painting:

Durability: Resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wear.

Corrosion Protection: Provides excellent protection against rust and chemicals.

Environmentally Friendly: No volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and minimal waste.

Efficiency: Overspray can be collected and reused, up to 99% material utilization.

Uniform Finish: Smooth, even coating without runs or drips.

Cost-Effective: Single-coat systems can achieve high film thickness, reducing labor and energy.

Aesthetic Variety: Wide range of colors, textures, and effects.

3. What Temperature to Cure Powder Coating

The curing temperature depends on the type of powder used:

Epoxy powder: ~160–200°C (320–392°F)

Polyester powder: ~180–210°C (356–410°F)

Hybrid (Epoxy-Polyester) powder: ~180–200°C (356–392°F)

Typical curing time: 10–20 minutes depending on thickness and oven type.

Always follow the powder manufacturer’s specifications for best results.

4. Process for Powder Coating

The powder coating process usually follows these steps:

Surface Preparation:

Clean the surface thoroughly (remove oil, grease, rust, or dirt)

Methods: chemical cleaning, sandblasting, or phosphating

Pre-Treatment:

Apply a conversion coating or primer if needed to improve adhesion

Powder Application:

Spray the powder using an electrostatic spray gun or fluidized bed

Curing:

Bake the coated object in an oven at the recommended temperature for the powder type

The powder melts and forms a continuous, smooth film

Cooling & Inspection:

Let the coated item cool

Inspect for defects, uniform coverage, and desired thickness

5. How to Spray Powder Coat

Equipment Needed:

Electrostatic spray gun

Compressed air supply

Powder feed hopper or container

Grounding of the object

Steps:

Ground the object: Ensures the charged powder is attracted to the surface.

Spray evenly: Hold the gun 6–12 inches from the surface, moving in smooth, overlapping strokes.

Apply sufficient powder: Ensure full coverage without excessive buildup.

Cure immediately: Transfer the sprayed item to the curing oven to fuse the powder into a solid coating.

Tips:

Maintain consistent speed and distance while spraying.

Use proper ventilation to reduce airborne powder accumulation.

Test a small area to check film thickness and color before full application.