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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Curing Cycle in Powder Coating

2005

We are powder coating fabricated structures.
The curing cycle is -1)Heating the powder coated structure from room temperature of around 25deg.C to 150deg.C in half an hour,for the powder to gel.2)In the next stage heat the component to further 180deg.C -EMT in next 15min.and allow it to cure for further 15 min.at 180deg.EMT

What will be the effect on the structure quality if the curing cycle gets disturbed i.e.effect on Gloss/Adhesion/QUV-B/Salt Spray/Film hardness, etc.

Sharad Kumar Shrivastava
Engg. - Indore, M.P., India

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2005

Dear Sirs,

We are presuming that you are worried that the items do not get their full baking schedule and not the other way around.

Apart from the gloss level, which may be higher in gloss (if using matte powder), or lower (gloss powder) all the remaining parameters will result in much lower results.

Is the component fully cured?
Rule of thumb - a non-scientific test - but it works!

Find an area that is powder coated but cannot be seen.
Take a coin and scribe with sufficient pressure to damage the coating.
If the scribe line is jagged then the item is under cured a smooth line usually indicates full cure.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom