Have you ever heard about powder coating steel? If not, then let us tell you about this life-saving and miraculous technique. People have been using powder to coat steal to save it from erosion for years. The powder acts as a protective barrier and makes the life of steel longer up to many folds. Undoubtedly, there are many other techniques like chip resistance, but there are chances that they themselves peel, crack or corrode after some time. The case is not like this for powder coating.
So, if questions like does powder-coated steel rust are also popping up in your mind, then stop thinking immediately because it DON’T RUST. In simpler words, if you want your steel appliances to last for ages, then it is suggested to consider powder-coated steel instead of other types. However, what is the reason powder coating is so suitable for steel? Let’s talk about this in the following paragraphs.
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How to powder coat Steel?- A Step-by-Step Guide
Powder coating is a technique in which you coat a metal with a plastic finish in the form of a powder. Usually, the powder is baked into the fluid form to stick to the metal surface. After that, a durable layer is formed on metal surfaces like aluminum and steel. This layer is responsible for keeping underlying metal safe from weather changes, wear and tears, and other corrosions.
Now let’s see the exact step-by-step technique used for powder coating steel.
Electrostatic charges are used to complete the process of powder coating.
First, the metal’s surface is cleaned by sandblasting or other suitable techniques. Before starting the exact procedure, you must ensure that all of the contaminations or impurities are gone, as contamination may make adhesion difficult.
A cornea gun is used to spray powder electrostatically. In this technique, the surface and the powder should both be oppositely charged so that powder may be set in place easily.
Once powder reaches its original place, now is the time to cure it in place at a specific temperature.
If you feel like the coating is even and looking fine, then it is fine, but if you feel like there is still a need for another coat, follow the same steps, excluding the first one.
How to measure the thickness of powder coating on steel or aluminum?
Before starting the exact procedure, you should check the powder coating thickness along with the following facts:
- Substrate type
- Powder
- Range
- Part shape
- Powder type
- Economics
- Method you are about to use
Now the main question is how to check the powder coating thickness. Powder combs are the primary tools used to measure the thickness of powder coating. Along with these, you also have other options like powder coating thickness gauges and powder probes. These methods are destructive, so you must reapply powder where you feel it is required.
In contrast, ultrasonic instruments are also used to make this measurement safer and more accurate. These tools are so effective that, along with the thickness, they also tell about the practical results of powder coating. If you want to check the exact procedure, here is the link. How to check the thickness of powder coating?
Applications of Powder-Coating
Typically in industrial sector, powder coating is used almost in every second field. So let’s have a look at the top applications of powder coating:
Almost all appliance companies use powder-coated steel to make their appliance panels. For example, refrigerators, air conditioners, ovens, cabinets, and whatnot.
The architecture sector is also relying on powder-coated steel. Almost every construction company and architecture company is making use of powder-coated aluminum or steel to make windows and doors to make them long-lasting.
The automotive company totally relays on the technique of powder coating. Bumpers, wheels, handles, and almost every part of vehicles are made using powder-coated materials. Also, other decorative parts are made using powder-coated steel and aluminum.
Along with this, if you turn your head around, you will come to know that almost everything placed in your room has a part made up of steel or aluminum. These parts are for sure made using powder-coated materials to make them long-lasting and robust.
Benefits of Powder Coating Steel
There are countless benefits of powder coating on steel and other metals. Let’s have a look at some of them to support that powder-coating is the perfect thing to choose.
- Powder coating will make your metals and appliances robust and durable.
- Increased lifetime of appliances saves you reinvesting a heavy amount.
- Electrostatic charges are used to place powder in place; this means you do not have to work by hand.
- It is relatively an easy method but has excellent benefits.
- You can use this method in almost every sector of life.
- The top benefit of this method is that the powder used in powder coating powder is harm-free, so you can also use it for food grade appliances.
- You only have to invest once, and you are safe from maintenance expenditures.
- When choosing powder-coated materials, you promise quality and durability for almost 15 to 20 years.
Disadvantages of Powder Coating
There are undoubtedly hundreds of benefits of powder coating, but there are some drawbacks. Here are some of the disadvantages associated with powder coating on steel.
- It is most likely to break down if get exposed to UV radiation.
- You may experience color change difficulties after powder coating
- It may cost you a lot of bucks to powder coat steel
- If it gets eroded, there is the slightest possibility of giving it a touch-up
- The procedure is a bit difficult as you need to ground the parts that are about to powder coat.
Powder-Coated Aluminum Benefits
Powder coating is a versatile and economical procedure, so no matter what the metal is, it will benefit you equally. So let’s see what the benefits of powder coating on aluminum are.
- Environment friendly
- Give an excellent finish to aluminum
- You can customize its thickness
- Durability is a promise
- It lasts for years
- No maintenance is required
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long-lasting is powder-coating on steel?
The life of powder coating depends on the pre-metal treatment and the type of power coating materials used. So, powder coating will obviously last longer if you use a suitable material. So, make a wiser choice while preparing the material of powder coating. However, the optimal range to which powder coating lasts is 15 to 20 years.
2. Are there some conditions when powder coating rusts?
If done accurately with the best possible technique, powder coating will never let steel rust, but still, some conditions may cause steel to rust. Steel is likely to erode if you have misapplied the powder or don’t prepare powder initials properly. Also, if steel was already corroding at the coating time, the powder can’t save it from further corrosion.
3. Are galvanization and powder coating the same?
Not precisely; both of these methods are different. Their function is undoubtedly the same, i.e., to protect steel from corrosion, but the working technique is the opposite. Powder coating creates a protective barrier between the outer environment and steel, which covers the steel from wear and tear. In comparison, galvanization absorbs all impurities likely to cause steel corrosion.
Conclusion
Finally, we are here at the end. We hope that up till now, you got the perfect answer to Does powder-coated steel rust or not. No doubt powder coating is a multiple-step finishing process, but if done accurately, it will act as a life savior for your appliances.
So, you can opt for powder-coated steel appliances with a blindfold.