Can You Powder Coat Aluminum? Is it the Best Finish for Your Work?
Yes, metal surfaces can be finished by powder coating. The metal surface is shielded from deterioration and corrosion by a decorative and protective layer that is provided by powder coated aluminum.
Aluminum can indeed be powder coated! For a variety of products, powder coat aluminum is really one of the most often used aluminum surface treatments. It comes in a variety of striking hues and adds extra resilience to bare aluminum surfaces.
Here, we go over the benefits and drawbacks of powder-coating aluminum as well as a summary of the powder coating procedure. You’ll learn more about this finish so you can decide if it’s the best option for your upcoming aluminum project.
What is the Aluminum Powder Coating Process?
The powder coating procedure can be divided into four steps: quality checking, curing, powder application, and surface preparation.
1. Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is essential to achieving satisfactory coating results, as experienced engineers and coating professionals are well aware. Poor adhesion from improper substrate surface cleaning and preparation causes flaking and disbondment. Coating specialists must completely clean the surface and remove any previous coatings or dirt before applying powder coating aluminum. The procedures will change based on the state of the metal pieces and the required degree of coating quality.
The steps could consist of:
- removing outdated coatings by solvent use, grinding, and scraping.
- Cleaning surfaces and getting rid of dirt, oil, and debris can be done with brushes, chemical solvents, and pressured water.
- The aluminum substrate can be “roughened” by sandblasting or by chemical treatments to improve the powder coat aluminum adhesion to the part’s surface.
2. Powder Application
The application of powder should be rather simple after the surface preparation is finished. Experts in coatings need to combine the powder coat aluminum mixture with the appropriate proportions of pigments, resins, and additional ingredients to achieve the desired hue.
Next, they use an electrostatic spray cannon to apply the powder coat aluminum. The powder particles “stick” to the electrically grounded aluminum component because the gun charges them positively electrostatically. Powder that oversprays can be gathered and utilized again at a later time.
3. Curing
Technicians must “bake” powder-coated items in an oven for them to cure properly. The part size, coating thickness, and coating composition all affect the precise cure time and temperature. In general, curing takes 10 to 15 minutes and does not require temperatures higher than 390°F (200°C).
4. Quality Inspections
Although people may not think of this as a step in the coating process, professionals understand how important quality inspection is. Inspectors should examine the pieces for thickness, homogeneity, and surface adhesion once they have cooled.
Different inspection methods exist, and they can change based on the component. As an illustration, you can do destructive testing, like the crosshatch testing shown above, on production line samples.
Advantages of Powder Coating Aluminum
- It increases resistance to corrosion.
- It improves durability and resistance to impact.
- It conducts electricity.
- It supports a wide range of glossy colors, including personalized color choices.
- It may withstand UV fading and damage pretty well, depending on the additives employed.
- Because oversprayed powder coat aluminum may be collected and reused, there is minimal waste, which contributes to its sustainability.
- The coating technician is not exposed to any hazardous or cancer-causing substances, nor does it release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Advantages of Powder Coating Aluminum
- It increases resistance to corrosion.
- It improves durability and resistance to impact.
- It conducts electricity.
- It supports a wide range of glossy colors, including personalized color choices.
- It may withstand UV fading and damage pretty well, depending on the additives employed.
- Because oversprayed powder coat aluminum may be collected and reused, there is minimal waste, which contributes to its sustainability.
- The coating technician is not exposed to any hazardous or cancer-causing substances, nor does it release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Is Powder Coating the Best Aluminum Finish?
Adding powder coating to your aluminum items is a terrific way to increase their durability and visual appeal. However, what is its difference from other widely used aluminum surface treatments such as liquid paint or anodizing?
Process | Corrosion Resistance | Durability | Affordability | Applications |
Powder Coating | Powder coating is highly corrosion resistant thanks to its plasticine quality and thickness. | Powder coating is one of the most durable finishing options, withstanding constant outdoor use for up to 20 years. | Powder coating is a middle ground for affordability with the best provided protection to cost sunk ratio. | Playground equipment, outdoor furniture, appliances, signage |
Anodizing | Anodizing boasts the highest corrosion resistance of these three processes. | Anodizing lasts longer than pretty much any other finishing process available. It virtually never needs to be reapplied. | Anodizing is the most costly option listed here because it’s a highly technical process which requires significant training, space, and unique tools to complete. | Electrical uses, architectural parts, food industry tools |
Paint | Paint provides some corrosion resistance with the right preparation and finishing, but does not compare to the protection provided by powder coating. | Paint can chip and fade away with regular outdoor use after very little time. It will need to be sanded and reapplied relatively regularly. | Paint is by far the most affordable of these three options. It needs little training and extra tools to be applied, and is widely available in many formats at any local hardware store. | Automotive parts, robotics, indoor decorative pieces |
What Are Aluminum Powder Coating Colors?
You can find aluminum powder coating in about any color you could like. For black powder coating, we have three options: wrinkle (Cardinal BK176), gloss (Cardinal BK 12/[RAL 9011]), and matte (Black Magic/BK120). Currently, we also provide white gloss finishes (Tiger Bengal White).
49/11111/[RAL 9003]; green (49/52900/[RAL 6001]); yellow (YL01/[RAL 1018]); and red (Cardinal RD03/[RAL 3002]).
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Metal Product
Aluminum powder coating offers an excellent cosmetic finish for laser-cut metal while maintaining strength and corrosion resistance. This finishing method can safeguard and enhance nearly any aluminum product, regardless of its intended use. The ideal finishing option for your product depends on the level of durability desired, the product’s budget, and the desired visual finish.
We have successfully delivered thousands of powder-coated aluminum products, and we are confident in our ability to help you achieve similar success with yours! If you’re still uncertain about whether powder coating is the best option for your upcoming project, check out our post comparing popular at-home finishing techniques with powder coating and other in-house finishing procedures.
If brushed aluminum powder coat isn’t your preference, we offer anodizing and plating options that may better suit your needs. These alternatives can preserve the excellent appearance of your parts for many years to come while providing flexibility, durability, and enhanced protection.
