How to Choose the Right Powder Coating Powder for Your Application
Choosing the right powder coating powder involves more than finding the required colour.
The substrate, operating environment, required appearance, exposure conditions and performance requirements should all be considered before selecting a coating.
Thermaset manufactures a wide range of powder coating technologies, colours and finishes for commercial and industrial applications. Understanding the differences between them can help you select the most appropriate powder for your requirements.
Start With Where the Product Will Be Used
One of the first considerations should be whether the finished component will be used indoors or outdoors.
Components installed outside can be exposed to sunlight, moisture and changing weather conditions, making exterior durability an important part of the specification.
Thermaset’s polyester powder coatings are designed for both interior and exterior applications and are formulated to provide excellent outdoor durability and resistance to yellowing.
Epoxy powder coatings have different characteristics. Thermaset’s epoxy range is designed primarily for interior applications where hard, durable protective finishes, adhesion and chemical resistance are important.
Thermaset epoxy coatings are not designed for long-term exterior exposure.
Understanding the final environment therefore helps narrow down the appropriate powder coating technology.
Choose the Right Type of Powder Coating
Thermaset manufactures several types of powder coating for different applications and performance requirements.
Polyester Powder Coating
Polyester powder coatings offer a tough decorative finish with excellent outdoor durability.
Thermaset’s polyester range is designed for interior and exterior use and is available in gloss, semi-gloss and matt finishes.
Colours can be matched to customer-supplied samples or many RAL and BS colour references.
Epoxy Powder Coating
Thermaset epoxy powder coatings provide hard, durable protective finishes with excellent adhesion and chemical resistance.
They are particularly suited to applications requiring protection from aggressive environments where long-term exposure to weathering or ultraviolet light isn’t expected.
Epoxy Polyester Powder Coating
Thermaset epoxy polyester powder coatings are designed mainly for interior applications.
They offer a tough decorative finish with excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance and superior heat stability.
Typical applications include domestic appliances, office furniture and shop fittings.
Specialist Powder Coatings
Some applications require additional characteristics beyond those offered by standard powder coating ranges.
Thermaset manufactures specialist powder coatings developed for specific requirements, including post-forming coatings with increased mar, scuff and abrasion resistance and superior flexibility.
Other specialist Thermaset ranges include antimicrobial coatings, textured finishes, primers and ECO-CURE powder coatings.
The appropriate product should therefore be selected according to the requirements of the application rather than colour alone.
Choose the Right Powder Coating Colour
Once the appropriate coating technology has been established, colour becomes another important consideration.
RAL and BS colour systems are widely used to provide recognised colour references across manufacturing, engineering, construction and other industries.
Thermaset supplies and stocks RAL, BS and bespoke powder coating colours.
Where a standard colour doesn’t meet the requirement, Thermaset also provides a bespoke powder service.
The available colour options can vary between different powder coating technologies, so the required colour and performance specification should be considered together.
Choose the Right Gloss Level
Gloss level can significantly affect the appearance of the finished coating.
Thermaset stocks powder coatings in:
- Matt
- Semi-gloss
- Gloss
The same or similar colour can have a noticeably different appearance depending on its gloss level, so the finish should form part of the original specification.
Consider Textured and Specialist Finishes
A smooth coating isn’t always the preferred option.
Thermaset manufactures textured powder coatings for a range of applications, including window and door frames, cladding and façades, outdoor furniture, electrical enclosures, shop fitting, ceiling panels and lighting.
Specialist surface finishes can provide manufacturers and designers with additional aesthetic options beyond conventional smooth matt, semi-gloss and gloss coatings.
Consider the Substrate and Pre-Treatment
Correct substrate preparation is essential for powder coating performance.
Thermaset’s technical guidance specifies that substrates should be thoroughly cleaned of grease, rust and other contamination.
The appropriate pre-treatment depends on the substrate.
Thermaset provides specific guidance covering materials including:
- Aluminium
- Galvanised steel
- Ferrous substrates
For maximum protection, the appropriate substrate pre-treatment should be carried out before applying the powder coating.
Check the Recommended Curing Conditions
Powder coatings need to be cured under the appropriate conditions.
Thermaset advises customers to refer to the product box label for the recommended curing conditions for the particular powder being used.
For example, typical values for a number of Thermaset’s conventional polyester and epoxy ranges are based around a specified peak metal temperature and curing time.
Rather than assuming that every powder uses identical settings, always follow the specification supplied with the individual product.
Thermaset also manufactures its ECO-CURE range, which includes lower-temperature and fast-curing powder coating options developed to help reduce energy consumption, processing costs and curing times.
Think About the Required Performance
Colour and appearance are important, but the coating also needs to perform correctly throughout its intended service life.
Depending on the application, considerations may include:
- Exterior durability
- Chemical resistance
- Adhesion
- Flexibility
- Impact resistance
- Abrasion resistance
- Heat stability
- Surface finish
- Specialist functional requirements
Not every coating offers the same combination of properties.
Selecting the powder according to the actual application is therefore more important than choosing a product based solely on colour.
Check Stock Availability
For regular production requirements, stock availability and consistency of supply can also influence the choice of powder coating supplier.
Thermaset maintains an extensive powder coating stock range including RAL, BS and specialist products.
Smaller box quantities are also available from stock, while products can be ordered by telephone, email or through the Thermaset online shop.
For requirements outside the standard stock range, Thermaset also offers a bespoke powder service.
Powder Coating Selection Checklist
Before ordering powder coating, consider:
- What substrate is being coated?
- Is the component for interior or exterior use?
- What environmental conditions will it experience?
- What type of powder coating is most appropriate?
- What colour is required?
- Is a matt, semi-gloss or gloss finish required?
- Is a smooth or textured finish preferred?
- Are there specific mechanical or chemical performance requirements?
- What curing conditions are available?
- Is the required powder available from stock?
Answering these questions provides a much better basis for selecting a suitable powder coating.
Buy Powder Coating Powder from Thermaset
Thermaset manufactures and supplies powder coating powders for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.
The range includes polyester, epoxy, epoxy polyester and specialist powder coatings, together with an extensive selection of RAL, BS and bespoke colours.
Many products are available to purchase directly through the Thermaset online shop, with technical assistance available where you need help identifying the most appropriate coating for a particular application.
Browse Thermaset’s powder coating powders online or contact our team for technical advice and product enquiries.
