Volcanoes in the Coating
We are seeing a defect in one of our smooth gray powder coatings that looks like little volcanoes and is in no repeatable pattern.
Q. We are seeing a defect primarily in one of our smooth gray powder coatings. It looks like little volcanoes and is in no repeatable pattern. It does however show up more prevalent in the areas that are metal finished. The parts are welded boxes and metal finished with 50 grit, then run thru a seven stage iron phosphate washer system. We ran some Bonderite panels through the system after the washer and the defects showed up on the panels. Do you have any ideas on the cause of the defect? J.V.
A. There could be several causes. It sounds like you have some type of contamination that is airborne or in the powder material. Look for sources of moisture or lubricants. If the volcanoes go through to the substrate it may be caused by silicone. Look for lubricants and release agents used inside the facility for maintenance, molding or die-casting. Check maintenance products, sweeping compounds, or cloth items used to clean around the spray area. Check your compressed air system for oil, water or contamination. Have some powder sprayed in another location to rule out the powder.
Related Content
-
Reduced, Reused and Recycled Powder Coatings Are the Future
They say necessity is the mother of invention, and with millions of pounds of powder coating going into landfills a year, these two companies have found novel approaches to dealing with this waste stream.
-
Products Finishing Reveals 2023 Qualifying Top Shops
Each year PF conducts its Top Shops Benchmarking Survey, offering shops a tool to better understand their overall performance in the industry. The program also recognizes shops that meet a set of criteria to qualify as Top Shops.
-
Selecting the Right Outdoor-Durable Powder Coating
The powder coating industry offers an array of chemistries to provide an excellent match to the manufacturer’s expectations for outdoor durability.
