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Time needed after cure before doing QC tests

I am the operation manager for a powder coater in Mexico. We coat industrial and automotive parts. So far we hold the theory that we cannot do the quality test as cure test, salt spray, adhesion and so on until 72 hrs after the cure process. Is our theory correct? Or can we do all the tests immediately after the cure process?

Thanks in advance,

Miguel Segoviano Mendoza
Powder Coating - Quer´taro, Mexico
2004

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Miguel,

To the best of my knowledge, once you have cured the powder coat there is no change in the coating properties from ambient conditions. This is one of the reasons powder coat stands up to environmental abuse so well. If you are really curious, grab a "fresh" sample and test it against an aged sample. I don't think you will see a difference.

Trent Kaufman
electroplater - Galva, Illinois
2004

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I second that, as soon as the parts are cool, do whatever you want. Out of curiosity, where did you get the advice to wait before testing?

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2004