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industrial finishing: DECORATIVE POWDER COATINGS

Consumers Drive

Decorative Powder Finishes

BY HARSHIT NIGAM

RISING CONSUMER DESIRE for special surface effects and to reach new heights.
finishes in end user products is opening new avenues for Decorative powder coating is a solvent-free finishing
decorative powder coatings. process for coating objects through dry, finely grounded
Over the past few years, powder coating has witnessed powder materials to develop decorative finishes. It can
the fastest growth rate among surface coating methods. create special effects such as custom images, wood grains,
Increased productivity, material saving, cost-effectiveness, specialty colors, metallic effects, fine and coarse textures
improved aesthetic and functional performance, and along with smooth, matte, satin and gloss finishes, and
significant contribution to limit the emission of volatile stone effects on steel, aluminum, plastic, iron, and other
organic compounds (VOCs) are a few factors justifying materials. The process finds application in architectural
the escalation in the adoption of the coating method. works, furniture, store fixtures, packaging, electrical and
Rapid globalization along with ongoing industrialization electronic appliances, and automobile components.
and urbanization have also driven the coating technology,
addressing the balance between, economic, environment, Metallic Finishes
and social factors. Metallic is the most widely adopted decorative finish. The
Powder coating is a process in which dry, free-flowing coatings are used for different decorative applications,
powder material is applied over a surface, followed by comprising under hood components for vehicles, automo-
melting and hardening of the surface to develop an even tive wheels and trim, architectural facades, office furniture,
coating. In the process, the powder material is deposited appliances, bicycles, and lawnmowers. The finish is
electrostatically over the metal or non-metal substrate and primarily developed from aluminum pigments that are
then cured by the application of heat. The process offers a classified as leafing or non-leafing pigments. The leaf
tough finish, durability, thermal stability, color retention, aluminum pigment develops orientation at the surface of a
corrosion prevention, and high productivity, which in turn, powder coating during the fusion phase of the curing
is further contributing to the surge in demand. process, providing a continuous metallic surface texture
Recently, a shift toward new and improved decorated glaze. Non-leafing aluminum pigments display random
surface designs and the desire for eye-catching end-user distribution of flakes all over the powder coating film,
products have presented new growth avenues for the in- exhibiting a sparkle effect. Further, in powder finishes,
dustry. Continuous focus toward enhancing technological aluminum flakes are utilized along with stainless steel and
capabilities, along with impetus from the consumer toward bronze pigments to achieve a metallic appearance.
availing different surface finishes on the end-user products
have further created opportunities for the industry players

16 canadian Finishing & coatings ManuFacturing septeMber/october 2020