Polymer coating is a unique opportunity to protect metal surfaces. This is the most effective and modern way to combat corrosion, which sooner or later still appears on metal products.
What's the point?
To improve the performance properties of the metal, polymers are used that can react under certain conditions. Such coatings are dry compositions based on a fine dispersion powder, to which hardeners, fillers and pigments are additionally added. The polymer coating was chosen to increase the protective means of the metal not by chance: metals conduct electricity, as a result, the charge is transferred to the product, resulting in the formation of an electrostatic field. It attracts powder particles, keeping them on the surface of the workpiece. A feature of the polymer coating is a high degree of resistance to any kind of impact. In addition, it is aesthetically pleasing.
How polymerization works
The powder coating shop consists of several sections:
- Product preparation area: so that the polymer coating isapplied correctly and evenly, the metal product is first thoroughly cleaned of dust, rust, dirt. It is advisable to use effective sandblasting and phosphating. Mandatory step - degreasing the metal surface.
- Spray booths: painting is done directly in the spray booth. The chamber is thermal, it is able to heat up to a temperature of 200 degrees and warms up evenly. The powder begins to melt, due to which an even and smooth coating is formed over the entire surface of the metal, and its pores are also filled.
- The polymerization of the product is carried out in the cooling chamber: here the temperature gradually drops, and the polymer film becomes harder. After 24 hours, the polymer coating is ready for use.
Coloring technology: what is the point
Powder coating is carried out in several stages. At the first, surfaces are processed. It is very important that metal products are thoroughly cleaned of dirt, oxides, and degreasing the surface will contribute to improved adhesion. After preparation, the masking stage is performed, that is, those elements of the metal product that the powder composition should not fall on are hidden.
Parts to be processed are hung on the transport system, then sent to the painting booth. After spraying, a powder layer is formed on the metal. At the polymerization stage, a coating is formed, which is a melting of the paint layer.
Whatfeatures?
Metal treated with a polymer coating is reliable and durable. This is explained by the fact that a sealed monolithic film is formed that completely covers the surface of the product and firmly adheres to it. Thanks to the polymer coating, the metal has:
- high adhesion to the surface;
- high strength and wear resistance;
- long service life while maintaining original properties;
- rich colors;
- fast production cycle.
Polymer coating of metal is carried out on the basis of various materials and coloring powders. The choice of a particular substance depends on the purpose for which the coating is applied, how important the decorative properties are.
Polyester
Polyester is most often used for the polymer coating of metal. This is an inexpensive material with a high level of flexibility, formability, moreover, it can be used in any climatic conditions. Polyester-based polymer coated sheet is UV resistant and corrosion resistant. The material forms a high-quality and durable film on the surface, so that steel sheets are delivered intact under any transportation conditions.
Matt polyester is also widely used: the coating has a very small thickness, and the surface of the metal is matte. The peculiarity of this material is in highcolor fastness, good resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress.
Plastisol
Another popular polymer coating of metal is plastisol. As part of this decorative material - polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers; externally, it attracts attention with an embossed surface. This is the most expensive coating, and at the same time the most resistant to mechanical damage due to the large thickness of the coating. On the other hand, the material does not have high temperature resistance, and therefore, under the influence of sunlight at high temperatures, the coating will deteriorate. Due to the large thickness, the corrosion resistance of the plastisol is high.
Pural-based polymer-coated steel, which has a silky-matte structural surface, is popular. Resistance to temperature extremes and chemicals makes this compound popular for metalworking.
Characteristics of color coated steel
Features of materials with a polymer coating - in strength, formability, high corrosion resistance. After processing, the steel acquires a beautiful appearance, which can be given any colors and shades. Rolled products are made in accordance with GOST, the polymer coating is of high quality. Painted rolled products can have a one- or two-layer coating, options are possible when the substance is applied on one or both sides. Thanks to the polymer coating, the operational properties of steel are improved:
- color-coated metal can be processed into finished products;
- the coating is evenly distributed over the surface, so the degree of protection is uniform;
- lack of pores is the key to a good level of protective properties;
- steel has good adhesion;
- metal can retain protective and decorative properties for more than 10 years.
From an economic point of view, galvanized steel with a polymer coating is more profitable: firstly, it contributes to high productivity and quality, as the cost of coating is reduced. Secondly, the buyer does not need to invest in additional processing of steel to protect its surface. Note that the anti-corrosion properties of galvanized steel, which is treated with a polymer coating, depends on the thickness of the layer. To increase the service life of steel products, they are additionally coated with two layers of polymer, which makes metal protection even higher.
Covering Features
Polymer coating is a film that has a whole range of unique performance characteristics. Pre-painted rolled products are based on several types of polymers. Any material processed on the basis of this method - steel sheet or mesh with a polymer coating - is characterized by impact resistance, corrosion resistance and high adhesion. It is also important that powder coating allows you to make a metal surface any in terms of color, including artificially aged, for example, antique style.
Today this method of coloring is popularrolled steel, such as Coil Coating. The essence of the method is that the coating is applied on an automated line, that is, sheets of rolled products are processed on the line, after which they are coated with roller machines. This technology has become widespread due to the fact that there is no loss of materials, and the line itself is more productive, and therefore profitable.
As with any other finishing work, you first need to prepare the surface, after which it is painted. This technology allows high-quality processing of steel, aluminum and tinplate. Thus, a polymer coating is an opportunity to improve the performance properties of a metal, increase its protective properties and ensure a long service life.
