The Environmentally Responsible Choice
Beetles, game changers and thermoplastic powder coatings
The Lac bug. A small beetle-like insect. And the unlikely resin source for one of the most remarkable game changing advancements in coatings technology. Shellac. In the 19th century, Shellac was a new comer super star blowing away conventional wax and oil coatings with superior performance. Game changer.
Realizing the need for a game changer is not always easy. By definition, a game changer can only come after a state of contentment. Many, if not most, thermoplastic powder coating applications are preceded by this state of contentment. Solvent coatings, water based coatings, conventional thermoset powder coatings, galvanizing, electroplating, porcelain…..All fantastic, rock solid finishing technologies that have been the mainstays of commercial finishing for decades. However, I have seen every one of these replaced by thermoplastic powder coatings after being used (read: misused) in difficult applications. A game changer was needed!
What provoked these defections to thermoplastic powder coating? Many came from the need to have more than one mission critical attribute, such as: Flexibility AND UV resistance; Weather resistance AND rock impact resistance; High lubricity AND flexibility AND chemical resistance. Desert building components are a great example where three primary attributes are required: UV resistance AND sand blast resistance AND impact resistance. Polyethylene coatings such as IFS Puroplaz® PE are used in this application with great success because it provides all three attributes simultaneously, albeit though other technologies can perform better in any one given attribute. Fluoropolymer systems can provide better UV resistance, but do not have the sand resistance; a ceramic system can provide the sand resistance but will crack under moderate impact; rubberized coating will have superior sand blast resistance but will not have the UV resistance.
Thermoplastic powder coatings should start coming into the conversation when the performance characteristics listed below come into play, and especially when there is more than one:
Coastal humidity Desert conditions - sand blasting
15+ year sun / weathering Water submerged
Rock and stone impact Extreme metal deformation, bending
High lubricity High tack
5,000+ salt spray performance High chemical resistance
Extreme abrasion resistance
Typical applications include:
Outdoor furniture Dishwasher racks
Trash can receptacles Petroleum piping and valves
Fencing Refrigerator shelving
Rock impact panels Shatter proofing glass light bulbs
Underground parts Playground decking
Chemical tanks Reagent bottle fluid retention after break
Street lights and poles Autoclave proof medical devices
Automotive clips and retainers Driveshaft splines
While not exactly mainstream in the world of coatings, thermoplastic powder coatings are not as obscure as they were just 10 years ago. If you are not bringing thermoplastic powder coating into your consideration, well, your competitors just might.
IFS Puroplaz® is a full range of thermoplastic powder coating products dedicated to our mission statement of providing “unparalleled service and products”. Puroplaz® PE, a polyethylene based coating that delivers incredible adhesion and flexibility, and Puroplaz® PA, a nylon based coating that is tough yet extremely smooth, are provided with the highest level of performance and customer service. Industry leading batch sizes and first class spray ability and transfer efficiency ensure that quality performance are built into both the product and service aspects of IFS Puroplaz®.