The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Powder coating on mdf or wood and its treatment chemicals

2006

dear sir,
I m planning to start a new venture for powder coating on wood and mdf boards..but my ideas are not very clear .thats why I wanted to ask you some queries..
1] is powder coating on wood is possible by conventional method like we are using for ferrous and non ferrous metal components.?/
2] what chemical should we use in pre-treatment of wood...?
3] since its a non conducting substance is there any chemical by which I can dip it in that chemical and a film is formed upon it ,which is having electrostatic properties.?
if yes, Please name it to me.?
4]if wood finish is not good then what measures should we take?
5]what test should we carry out on wood like salt spray .impact resistance etc.
please guide me.your guidance is really beneficial for me.

RAJAT SALUJA
POWDER COATING - NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

---

2006

Dear Rajat,
MDF & wood will require a different approach when applying a powder coating material. You cannot use a conventional type of powder (cure 180 °C) because the item may be subject to scorching. The second and in my opinion the major problem is that the items to be coated contain air and this will be expelled during the baking cycle causing surface defects, e.g., bubbles. Wood and MDF are now being coated but using LOW bake powders. There are problems to overcome here -- wood being the most difficult because of the end grain. A turned piece of wood will have end grain all over the surface where MDF you only have to worry about the edges. The powder can be applied by conventional spray equipment; the difference is that powder is applied to a hot surface to promote adhesion. The latest technology is to use UV cured powder plus partial bake using an infra red heat source.

Terry Hickling
Birmingham, United Kingdom