What Is Electrostatic Powder Coating?
Electrostatic powder coating is a method of applying dry powder to metal components using an electrical charge. The charged powder is attracted to the grounded component, helping create an even and consistent coating before the part is cured in an oven.
The process produces a durable, high-quality finish and can be used across a wide range of metal components and applications.
How Does Electrostatic Powder Coating Work?
Achieving a high-quality powder-coated finish involves more than simply applying powder to a component. Surface preparation, application, curing and inspection all play an important role in the final result.
1. Component Preparation
The surface must be suitably prepared before powder is applied. Depending on the substrate and specification, this can include cleaning, degreasing, pre-treatment, shot blasting, sanding or other preparation processes.
Our metal preparation services allow us to prepare a wide range of substrates before coating, helping ensure good adhesion and a consistent finish.
2. Masking
Where required, threads, bores, mating faces and other areas can be masked to prevent powder from being applied to specific surfaces.
This is particularly important for components that need to meet precise dimensional or assembly requirements.
3. Electrostatic Powder Application
The powder is applied to the prepared and grounded component using specialist electrostatic spray equipment.
The electrical charge causes the powder particles to be attracted to the component, helping provide consistent coverage across the surface.
The application process is carefully controlled according to the component, powder specification and required finish.
4. Curing
Once the powder has been applied, the component is transferred to a controlled curing oven.
Heat causes the powder to melt and cure, creating a continuous and durable coating. Correct control of curing temperature and time is essential to achieving the required coating performance and appearance.
5. Inspection
The finished component is inspected to ensure it meets the required specification.
At Frederick Cooper, quality control is integrated throughout our production process, with finished products checked before dispatch.