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Key factors that determine whether to plate or paint include:
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Cost - organic coatings typically cost less than plating.
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Appearance - painted surfaces offer a wide range of colors and textures, which are desirable over plated surfaces.
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Corrosion Protection - in many cases applied paint over a properly applied pretreatment can provide better performance in outdoor exposure than plating. A combination of painting over a plated surface can provide optimum corrosion protection. |
All powder coating systems must have clean dry parts before the powder is applied.
There are two categories of organic finish namely:
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Thermoplastic Powder - applied as dry particulates that melt and flow into a smooth coating when exposed to heat. These materials can soften if exposed again to heat. Examples of this powder are Nylon, PTFE, Polyethylene and Vinyl.
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Thermoset Powder - the most commonly used today. These powders are applied as dry particulate and will melt when exposed to heat. These coatings will not soften if exposed to heat again. Examples of this powder are epoxies, polyesters, and acrylics. |
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