Thermoset powder coatings are a category of powder coatings that are applied to a surface as a dry, fine powder and then cured through the application of heat.
Unlike thermoplastic coatings, which can be re-melted and reshaped, thermoset coatings undergo an irreversible chemical reaction during the curing process that makes them extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear, and therefore more commonly used for high-heat applications.
Here, we list down a couple of the most common places where you can find thermoset powder coatings being used today.
While the list of applications of thermoset powder coatings grows everyday through continuous research and development by industry experts, you can most commonly find thermoset powder coatings in the following fields:
Thermoset powder coatings are used, and in fact, often preferred in the manufacturing industry to protect metal parts and components from corrosion and other types of wear and tear. They are especially popular in the automotive, aerospace, and military industries, where parts need to be able to withstand extreme conditions like high levels of heat, chemical exposure, and stress.
Thermoset powder coatings are also used in the construction industry to protect the exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They exhibit excellent resistance to weathering, fading, and chalking, making them the ideal choice for use on the exterior of buildings and other structures left to withstand the elements and test of time.
Thermoset powder coatings can be found on tools and equipment you can find around you every day, such as push carts, hand rails, public benches and shopping carts to name a few. Their superior durability versus other coatings become crucial for high-traffic and high-use applications where repeated use can sometimes wear a protective coating down quickly.
Thermoset powder coatings are also used to protect the surfaces of appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines, as well as consumer goods like indoor & outdoor furniture and electronics. They provide a durable, long-lasting finish that can withstand daily use and cleaning.
In the food and pharmaceutical processing industries, thermoset powder coatings are often used to protect equipment from corrosion and other types of wear and tear. Customizations to the formulations of thermoset powder coatings are often done to imbue special characteristics for these fields, such as antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for applications where cleanliness is of utmost importance.
As mentioned earlier, there is a growing list of new applications for thermoset powder coatings - far more than we can include on this article, but overall, thermoset powder coatings are a versatile and durable coating solution that is used in a wide range of industries and applications. They provide excellent protection against wear and tear, corrosion, and other types of damage, making them an ideal choice for a variety of applications.
