Metal fabrication comes up in many different areas of the world around us. Depending on how
To function in any of these environments, fabricated metals need to meet certain standards. And a big part of this quality control comes down to proper finishing.
Join us today, as we bring you a closer look at metal finishing and the role of powder coating in metal fabrication. This is an industry that relies on quality workmanship, and it pays to know your metalwork.
Metal Finishing: A Crucial Step In The Fabrication Process
Any grade schooler who’s ever seen a car rusting in their neighbor’s backyard can tell you one thing: metal gets old. After a certain number of years, air, water, dust, and imperfections can ruin a piece of metal in various ways. Exposed metals that have not been treated can be eroded by salts in the air. They might be weakened by ultraviolet lights, or the rain could simply rust them over.
Over time, metal fabricators realized that what was missing was some sort of finishing process. Adding specific components to metal after fabrication could enhance its durability and add years to its overall lifespan. And, as they refined this process, one clear winner began to appear ahead of the competition.
Powder Coating’s Impact on Metal Fabrication
In the early days of metal finishing, fabricators typically used liquid paint, which was lengthy, unreliable, and produced poor results. Unless the person performing the finish was a true professional, this approach usually wasn’t worth the investment.
Then came the ’60s, and researchers developed and perfected powder-coating. This new finishing process stormed the metal fabrication industry, revolutionizing this important step in the process.
Powder coating offers various advantages over other finishing methods. This method improves the durability of the metal in question. It balances a premium finish and appearance in the metal itself and is an environmentally conscious option, as well.
Powder coating brings various benefits over other finishing options. These include:
- scratch, fade, and wear-resistant surfaces
- fewer surface chips
- products that don’t corrode or rust throughout their
lifecycle maintenance-free products that don’t need repainting
Powder coating takes less equipment to administer, is quicker to apply, and requires less material. It’s also less expensive. This is a reliable
Since its development, powder coating has cut down production time for metal workers dramatically. It’s done this while simultaneously increasing the actual protection of the products it’s used on, making it invaluable.
How Does It Work?
To understand how powder coating works, we’ll start by comparing it to conventional liquid paint treatments. These paints feature color pigments that have suspended in liquid, making them the polar opposite to powder coating.
Powder treatment works specifically in a dry environment, which is its biggest selling point. Pressurized powder is applied to metal that has been grounded with a negative charge. A change in the surrounding electrochemical system forces the powder to attach to the metal.
Powder bases are available in various acrylics, polyesters, epoxies, polyurethanes, and blends. Regardless of what you choose, electric polarization creates a uniform coating. As a result, the coating is free of runs and sags.
After application, fabricators treat these components under high temperatures, sometimes up to 400°F. As a result, products emerge completely cured and immediately available for use following their cooling.
Powder Coating; Now You Know
Metal fabrication is a complex process with a lot of payoff potential if handled correctly. But you need to find a company that understands the process, and how to create something that lasts. From powder coating to precision tools, it’s the little things that make all the difference.
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