Page 17 - CFCM Sept-Oct-2020_Neat

TExTuRED FInISHES PHOTOLuMInESCEnCE
The textured finish is a special type of decorative powder Photoluminescent powder coatings are developed by
coating, which varies from a very fine texture to an inter- mixing a specific pigment into the powder coating base.
mediate texture. The textured powder coating primarily Photoluminescence occurs due to the absorption of incident
constitutes non-melting particles, which disrupt the surface light by a pigment such as strontium aluminate, which
orientation of the powder finish. The concentration, amount re-emits photons that are visible in the absence of light.
and size of these particles command the degree of texture The pigment acts as a doping agent that constitutes
on the finished products. In the process, large, loopy tex- dysprosium and europium oxides. These glow-in-the-dark
tures displaying orange peel appearance are attained by finishes primarily rely on the dry blend of the photolumi-
regulating the binder melt viscosity to minimize leveling nescent pigment in powder coating. The process requires
and flow. The process requires caution for controlling grain caution in terms of application along with the reusability
size and spread. of overspray, possibly reflecting varied illumination.

WRInkLE FInISH VEInS AnD HAMMERSTOnES
The wrinkled surface profile is used across different These powder coatings emit an exceptional wavelength
consumer products including business equipment, car parts, and elicit a deep texture, which is unachievable with
and toolboxes. The effect is developed through a complex conventional liquid paints. The special effects materials
chemical reaction, in which polyester chemistry utilizes a include antique vein look finishes that mix a metallic veneer
specialized catalyst and a unique cross-linker to stimulate comprising a large-wavelength surface over the edges of
the curing reaction in adequate oven conditions. In the the distinct orange peel. Hammerstone powder finishes
process, an epoxy wrinkle powder is further added to display a similar surface profile without the metallic veneer.
obtain a high wrinkle finish. The highly concentrated Both of these finishes require an accurate mixture of
epoxy products perform poorly in sunlight, limiting appli- incompatible materials which produces macro-cratering,
cations to interior products. without exposing the substrate. The complex formulations
mean manufacturers must carefully control the accumulation
WOODGRAIn FInISH of these incompatible agents.
This is also one of the prevalent methods for providing a
decorative finish. In this process, different wood and timber HOLOGRAPHIC EFFECTS
tints are developed over the substrate surface. The same This is one special surface finish effect that is produced by
woodgrain processing method is used to create other effects the incorporation of minute prismatic flakes, which cause
including granite, marbling, denim, leopard skin, camou- a holographic effect. These microscopic flakes consist of
flage, and company logos. High-resolution woodgrain multiple layers of film that are oriented in manner to pro-
effects are primarily developed by dye-sublimation tech- duce rainbow color, observable through alteration in the
nology followed by powder-on-powder technology. The viewing angle. These holographic flakes are capable of
sublimation technology is further used for different types producing a distinctive special effect at a very low concen-
of substrate surfaces including metals such as iron, alu- tration (around one percent).
minum, steel, and non-metals such as glass, heavy plastic, Other special effects include pearlescence or a shim-
and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). mering effect, speckle finish, and fluorescence, which
In the sublimation process, the decorative powder coat- reflects bright yellow, orange, or lime green, similar to
ings are applied over pre-powder coated products. A trans- photoluminescence. These decorative coatings possess
fer film, comprising printed special ink, is applied over the diverse characteristics and uses including anti-graffiti, anti-
surface of the product under high vacuum conditions. slip, anti-microbial, anti-scratch, durability, UV resistance,
The product is then loaded into a machine that operates non-toxicity, and reusability, which in turn, are driving
at high temperatures to convert ink into a gas, which adoption of the technology in comparison to other coating
penetrates into the coated layer. methods. The industry players are perpetually focusing
The printed product is then taken out of the machine on formulating new and innovative finishes to create
and the film is peeled off to obtain the decorative finish. captivating end-products, in turn expanding the coating’s
Further, in the powder-on-powder technology, special adoption by industry. n
rollers are used for developing a second layer coat on the
powder-coated product. The roller is perforated with Harshit Nigam, Analyst, Adroit Market Research.

microscopic holes that allow the powder to disperse over
For more, read the market research report on Decorative Paints
the products, developing the required texture from the
And Coatings at www.adroitmarketresearch.com/industry-
secondary powder coating, followed by curing to obtain reports/decorative-paints-and-coatings-market
the decorated substrate.
www.cfcm.ca CAnADIAn FInISHInG & COATInGS MAnuFACTuRInG 17