ARTICLE

Modern Approach to Pigmentation in Powder Coatings

Belgium - Max Meyer - November 16, 2005 -- The first references to "electrostatic coating of powder" can be attributed to French researchers in the early 1800's. Back in the 1950s, powder was applied using a fluidized bed application process. Between 1958 - 1965, all powder coating was made by fluidized 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 1960s and various thin film decorative powders were developed in the 1970s.

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.