Powder Coating Markets And Uses
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| Powder Coating Markets & Uses |
For thermosetting
powders, the appliance industry is the largest single market sector.
Thermosetting powder materials provide even, thin films with high levels of
resistance to chips, impact, detergents and chemicals, which are critical to
the appliance industry. Current applications include refrigerators, washer tops
and lids, dryer drums, range housings, dishwashers, microwave oven cavities,
freezer cabinets and external air conditioning units.
Automotive applications
for powder coated parts include wheels, grills, bumpers, hubcaps, door handles,
decorative trim, radiators, air bag components, engine blocks and numerous
under-hood components, along with trailers and trailer hitches. Several
automakers are now applying powder clearcoats over liquid exterior basecoats,
and there are some automobiles that are powder color coated. Powder is also
used as a primer-surfacer on some models. Clear acrylic topcoats have been used
on BMW and Mercedes vehicles.
In the automotive
aftermarket, high-heat resistant powder coatings are used to finish mufflers to
resist corrosion, protect against nicks and prolong the life of the muffler.
Light truck and SUV owners can purchase powder coated running boards, bed
rails, luggage racks and toolboxes as dealer add-ons or from aftermarket
suppliers.
Powder manufacturers are
also working with the automotive industry to perfect powder coating on plastic
items such as wheel covers, rear-view mirrors, door handles, air conditioning
vents and interior clothes hooks.
As more powder coaters
are able to accommodate large parts, off-road vehicle frames such as those used
in agricultural and construction equipment are being powder coated, with good
UV and weather protection, and high resistance to salt spray and fertilizer.
Manufacturers of
architectural components and building supplies powder coat aluminum extrusions
used on windows, doorframes, storefronts, shelters and gazebos. This also
includes fixtures and modular furniture.
In the United States,
recently installed vertical lines for powder coating aluminum extrusions,
commonplace in Europe for many years, have improved speed of production as well
as finish quality. Many highway and building projects use powder coating on
light poles, stadium seating, guard rails, posts and fencing and on light
poles.
Many lawn and garden
implements, including wheelbarrows, lawn mowers, lawn sprinklers, snowblowers,
snow shovels, barbecue grills, propane tanks and garden tools, are powder
coated, as are everyday products as lighting fixtures, antennas, and electrical
components. Sporting goods applications include powder coated bicycles, camping
equipment, exercise equipment and golf clubs and carts.
Powder coating is widely
used for office furniture and equipment including file drawers, computer
cabinets, desks, and other pieces. Parents use powder coated baby strollers,
cribs, playpens, car seats, toys, and wagons; consumers also own electronic
components, bathroom scales, toolboxes, laptop computers, cell phones and fire
extinguishers with powder coated parts and components.
Functional powder
applications are an ever-growing market space where powders are applied to
rebar used to strengthen bridges, buildings, retaining walls and roads.
Fusion-bonded epoxy powder coatings are applied to protect both the inside (ID)
and outside (OD) diameter of gas and oil transmission pipe, valves, potable
water applications and springs.
Applications for powder
coating are constantly expanding. More innovative applications continue to
develop in the areas of powder on plastics and powder on wood, specifically
medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Ongoing research and development in powder
coating materials and new methods of applying powder promise even more uses
that may be unimaginable today
