The Environmentally Responsible Choice
Everything you need to know about Fluoropolymer powder
What’s a Fluoropolymer powder?
Fluoropolymer coating technology delivers the ultimate in exterior weathering. You may well know the term fluoropolymer from 70% PVDF liquid paint (often referred to as 70% Kynar after the brand name PVDF Fluoropolymer resin, Kynar). That's a liquid fluoropolymer coating.
There are also fluoropolymer powder coatings. Instead of PVDF fluoropolymer chemistry, they use FEVE fluoropolymer chemistry and deliver the same performance levels.
So FEVE fluoropolymer powders deliver the same performance as liquid fluoropolymers?
Absolutely!
Do they meet the performance requirements in the AAMA 2605 spec?
Yes they do! In fact, they will meet and exceed the performance requirements of AAMA 2605. From ASTM G85 salt spray testing, through Florida weathering, mechanical and chemical testing, the IFS FEVE Fluoropolymer powders (IFS 500FP) exceed the performance requirements of the AAMA 2605 coating spec.
I hear they are they a more sustainable coating. Is that true?
Yes they are. They boast no solvents and therefore negligible VOCs, overspray can be reclaimed, reused and recycled, they do not have to have chrome based pretreatment and they never require chrome based primer, no toxic waste (which becomes toxic landfill) is created, the IFS 500FP fluoropolymers come with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)…the list goes on!
How many coats of powder do we need?
This is simple.
- On aluminum – single coat (yes, even metallic/mica coatings). No primer, no clear.
- On steel – two coat. A powder primer, followed by your fluoropolymer topcoat.
Want a more technical explanation as to why this is? Reach out and we’ll be happy to take you through the reasons why more coats are required with liquid coatings and why that’s not the case with powder!
Can we get metallic/mica powders?
Absolutely. We create beautiful metallic effect powder coatings in fluoropolymer each and every day. We have thousands to choose from and we bond our metallic/mica powders in-house to ensure a beautiful finish is easily achieved. And yes, they’re single coat – you don’t need to put a clear coat on them.
If you’re looking for a super sparkly “YES THERE’S A LOT OF SPARKLE IN THIS” type of coating – go liquid. The more natural, subtle looking sparkle effects are absolutely possible in fluoropolymer powder.
Do we get a warranty with Fluoropolymer powder?
Yes. When IFS 500FP is applied by a registered applicator to architectural aluminum, then your registered applicator can provide the usual 20 year color and gloss warranty you’re looking for.
Can any coater buy and apply fluoropolymer powder?
Just like with performance liquid coatings, we require anyone who wants to buy or apply our fluoropolymer powder to be a registered applicator. That way we know their pretreatment, application and curing capabilities are up to the tough requirements of the AAMA 2605 spec. We want to know the powder can be applied to perform just like you do.
Colors?
So. Many. Colors!
We have thousands of colors, from the usual charcoals, greys, silvers, bronzes, golds, black and whites, through the more exotic and even some brights, all available in fluoropolymer powder!
What about different gloss levels?
That question goes right back to you! What gloss would you like? A low gloss like liquid PVDF paints? No problem. A semi gloss? A satin? All the way to a high 70 gloss? You got it. There’s a lot of flexibility to play around with the gloss and achieve new effects and play with the light in ways not previously possible.
What about special effects like other levels of powder?
As well as mica/metallic powders, we can also create speckle and even textured effects. Light textures allow the light to refract differently off the coating, and our speckles add real depth and interest to the finished look. We have made Corten inspired powder, anodized, black chrome and many more special effects. Talk to us about what you're looking for.
Not all special effects are possible in fluoropolymer technology. This is because some of the things we do to create the special effect, negatively affect the weathering capability of the coating. And excellent weathering is why we are using fluoropolymer technology in the first place!