Powder coatings are increasingly becoming popular, taking a large share of the coating market. Coating options vary according to the substrate material, the client’s requirements and the end use of the product. While polyester coatings are the most popular form of thermoset coatings, a nylon coating is the most common for those industries who prefer thermoplastic coatings.
Methods of Application
Thermoplastic powder coatings are not as popular as thermoset coatings are. Of the entire powder coating market, thermoplastic coatings only comprise between 5 and 10 percent. The method of application of these types of powder coatings varies. The most commonly employed methods are:
- Electrostatic spray
- Fluidized bed
- Flame spray
Of these particular methods, the most commonly employed is the fluidized bed application. Finishers frequently use this method when applying nylon powder coatings.
The fluidized bed method consists of dipping the various components into a container holding the powder coating. Through the bottom of the container air flows upwards to fluidize the coating. The particle size for such powder coatings is much coarser than that of thermoset coatings. This decreases the feasibility of using a powder coating gun.
Following the application of the nylon coating or other any other thermoplastic powder coating, melting occurs in the curing oven. Upon cooling, the powder becomes a solid film. If any defects appear after the cooling process, the operator can repair the mistakes quickly and easily. He or she takes the component and once more heats the coating. It melts once more – a property not shared with thermoset coatings. The operator then places the item once more to cool.
Applications for Nylon Coatings
Thermoplastic coatings suit hostile environments. Nylon coatings are excellent where they need to provide resistance to chemical exposure. This makes them ideal for some coating various medical instruments. Constant and intense cleaning by autoclave can destroy several types of coatings but not nylon ones.
Overall, nylon coatings are selected for their qualities including:
- Aging resistance
- Excellent resistance against stress cracking
- Good chemical resistance
- Good electrical strength as well as insulation
- Good resistance to boiling and/or detergent containing water
- High heat resistance
- High mechanical strength and elasticity
- High quality corrosion protection
- High wear resistance
- Sound and vibration absorption
- Very good resistance to many organic solvents such as fats, saline solutions and oils
These qualities make the choice of nylon coatings preferable to other thermoset and thermoplastic materials.
Nylon Coating: A Useful Thermoplastic Coating
Nylon is expensive powder. It does, however, make the outlay more cost-effective by requiring only a thin film layer. A very durable coating with many desirable properties, it is easy to understand why a nylon coating continues to be the most popular form of thermoplastic coatings today.