Having options is crucial for metal fabricators because not only they can explore newer techniques and methods but also, they can evaluate their value and efficiency to successfully cut down the production cost while ensuring the quality is jeopardized.
The “options” I am talking about can be anything, from the ability to select the weld pool to choosing between laser cutting and plasma cutting for a project. Even though they might feel very insignificant to the overall project, the importance of having those options is far more important than one would imagine.
For example, if you want to choose a weld pool material, there are few things to think beforehand. The weld pool that you would use in steel fabrication, you might not use for aluminium fabrication, or stainless steel fabrication. Similarly, you might use hydraulic press brake for metal bending or a manual one. It depends on what the project is and what you choose to do. Same goes for stamping, metal rolling, etc. We want choices for all of them.
Sometimes these choices are easy to make and sometimes a bit confusing. One of such choices is picking between powder coating and traditional liquid coating.
Yes, powder coating is not new and many metal fabrication shops are using it already. But like anything in the metal fabrication industry, powder coating is evolving.
I would have picked powder coating anyways but with the new addition of technology and chemical compositions, there’s no way I would choose liquid painting over it.
Why?
Powder coating is efficient
Undoubtedly, powder coating is better and it offers more production value than the liquid coating.
Powder coating is more efficient than liquid coating in 2 main ways.
- Powder coating protects the components better
- Powder coating enhances resiliency
Liquid coating has been on the books for centuries, but in that comparison, powder coating is a much newer addition. The reason why powder coating was introduced is people though liquid coating can’t be the ultimate way to protect your parts and make them look “not rusty” and yes, they were right. Liquid coating is not the ultimate method. Powder coating is far superior in case of protecting the material.
Also, powder coating enhances their resilience. So, it’s safe to say that powder coating is more efficient than liquid coating or painting.
Powder coating emits little to no VOCs
Another great argument for powder coating is unlike liquid painting, powder coating doesn’t emit a massive amount of VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. This help the metal fabrication shop in its sustainability program because the VOCs can affect its surrounding greatly.
Powder coating reduces production cost
And lastly, powder coating is a great cost saver for a metal fabrication shop. Unlike other forms or methods of coating, powder coating overspray can be reclaimed and re-use again.
Even though larger particles for powder coating means slower transfer rate, you are still saving a lot and reducing waste. So, it is a win-win situation anyway.
