ARTICLE

Maximiliano G. Meyer
Coatings Marketing Mgr.
Phone: 513-681-5950

Modern Approach To The Pigmentation Of Powder Coatings

Brief Look To The History Of Powder Coatings

Belgium - Maximiliano G. Meyer -- First references to "electrostatic coating of powder" can re attributed to French researchers of the early 1800's. Back in the 1950's powder was applied using a fluidised bed application process. Between 1958 and 1965 all powder coating was made by fluidised bed application using thermoplastic coatings. This process generated only limited interest.  It was only when electrostatic spray guns were introduced and thermosetting resin systems were refined that coating with powder was heralded as the finishing technology of the next millennium The first powder hopper and spray gun were introduced in the 1960's and various thin film decorative powders were developed in. the 1970's. European manufacturers were quick to appreciate the decorative possibilities of powder coating. In the more functional North American market, thicker powder coatings were used and decorative thermosetting powder resin systems were refined much more slowly than in Europe.

Application and material problems combined with a market resistant to turn away from high solids, solvent-based coatings resulted in a slow take-off of powder coating technology. This dependency upon high solids systems as a solution to the VOC problem or, more accurately, the perception of what high solids could accomplish, was a major reason that the growth of powder coatings in North America lagged behind that of Europe.